Srinagar: In February 2018, under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP), three receiving stations were sanctioned in district Pulwama, to be constructed at Kadlabal in Pampore, AIIMS in Awantipora and Shaar area in Khrew. The work was to be done by Delhi based Krishna Electric Industries (KEI). Over a year down the line, the work at Kadalbal is yet to start because of hurdles created by local Municipal officials over land title.
According to locals, the construction was stopped by the Executive Officer (EO) Municipal Council Pampore, after he along with his team visited the spot citing the reason that the land belongs to the municipal committee. “The revenue records show that property is state land,” said a local activist who wishes not to be named. “This land has not been transferred to the local municipality as claimed by them.”
After the work was stopped, a deputation led by Coordination Committee Pampore (CCP) met K K Sharma, advisor to Governor, who assured to sort the issue out according to the wishes of the people. “He (Sharma) told us that the receiving station will be constructed at the spot as wished by locals,” said Azad, a local resident.
As assured by K K Sharma a letter of recommendation was faxed from Governor Satya Pal Malik’s office to the District Commissioner, Pulwama, to take immediate action. Within no time DC Pulwama sent fax (a copy which under reference number DCP/PA18/1387-89 dated 16.01.2019, lies with Kashmir Life), instructing Executive Engineer PDD Project Wing “to start the work on the project so that an efficient mechanism is evolved to resolve at an appropriate level”.
After DC Pulwama’s instructions, the work on the said site was started despite harsh weather conditions. “But on March 11, 2019, a team led by newly posted Executive Officer (EO) Municipal Committee Pampore, Mohammad Ismail along with the Secretary Assadullah, stopped the work again without having any genuine reason,” alleged a local resident.
When this reporter asked Exen project wing Pulwama Mohammad Maqbool to explain the reason why the work was stopped he said; “EO and counsellor told us to stop the work, and the order has come from the higher-ups.”
The project was slated for completion in August 2018. Meanwhile, the recently elected councillor Mohammad Yaqoob Malik said that he has no issues with the project, he is with the people.
When contacted Chairman of Municipal Committee Pampore, Bansi Lal said he has not visited the place yet but there will be an official visit to assess the situation.
A number of local organizations including, Coordination Committee Pampore, Falah-behbood, Traders Federation, Samaji Youth Forum, have requested Tehsildar Pampore to look into the miseries of the people and address this issue.
“Local Municipal authorities’ have decided to construct a guest house at the same place where the receiving station is supposed to be built,” said a local resident. “But the place is not feasible for the guest house as it is located at the tail end of the town in Galendar, Pampore.”
“The location is in between the Hindustan Petroleum gas plant and grid station 220 Pampore,” he added. According to locals, the location also comes under the Kishanpur Pampore transmission line.
Commenting on this Executive Officer (EO) told Kashmir Life that the residents were scheduled to present in the tehsildar’s office today regarding the issue but nobody turned up, adding that “there is no single paper available in the department that can give us the details about the station,” he said.
