Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 16: Residents of several remote villages of mountainous Shopian district of south Kashmir have decried the poor road network in their respective areas.
The inhabitants of various villages including Douchun, Saraibal, Krechanpathri and Divpora complained about non-availability of a proper connecting link to their villages. “Our villages are without roads. We have to carry building material and other important things on horse or shoulders due to lack of roads,” Mohammad Hussain, a resident of Sarbal, said. He said they have brought the issue to the notice of higher authorities but their pleas have been ignored.
“We have been running from pillar to post from last several years, but to no avail. The authorities have failed to fulfill their promises. Their faces change after winning elections,” he said. The locals of the area said the failure of authorities to set up a bridge over Rambi Ara, a rivulet, in their area was forcing them to use a makeshift bridge.
“We have voluntarily set up a wooden bridge to cross the rivulet. This bridge is dangerous during flash floods and heavy rains. People prefer to stay at home rather than risking their lives during rains. Students including primary standard students have to cross this dangerous bridge to reach their respective schools in Shopian or Hirpora,” he said.
The locals said the road would have benefitted to hundreds of villagers. “Apart from Douchun and Saraibal villages, this road will connect hundreds of families from a tribal area with district headquarters and Hirpora village,” they said.
An official at Roads and Buildings Department when contacted said they have submitted the estimate for the road in Central Roads Funds (CRF). “We are committed to providing better roads and have already sent the proposal. Until the formal sanction comes, we will install a makeshift bridge for the area,” he said.
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