KL Report
SRINAGAR
Kalaroos – a remote area of North Kashmir’s district Kupwara, though having much historical significance has become a neglected zone for years. Among many villages of the area, Lashtiyal is the favorite victim to government apathy for about four decades. The bridge known as “Lashtiyal Kadal” and constructed in 1970 is the only link road that connects the village with rest of the Valley. Since then, the bridge has developed extremely weak condition with scary cracks that has become the serious concern for the inhabitants of the area.
The locals allege that successive regimes and MLAs always played politics over the issues that concern people. According to residents of Lashtiya village, the local MLA from People’s Democratic Party, Abdul Ahad Khan had initiated work on the new bridge. “It was due to the joining of National Conference by the contractor that MLA stopped the work and we were left to suffer,” they alleged.
“Our school going children and patients are the worst hit due to government negligence as the bridge can collapse anytime and we have no other alternative to cross the river,” , an elderly person of the village told GNS.
He said the vehicles whether of locals or tourists visiting the ‘Satbaran Cave’ have to stop on other side of the village keeping in view the pathetic condition of the bridge.
Another person Muhammad Ayoub while complaining the issue with GNS said the politicians should rise above their personal rivalry and work for the welfare of the people. “They (politicians) played much politics for their personal vendetta. They should at least care for the people who always suffer at every end.”
“It is a matter of serious concern for us. The fragile bridge poses threat to our lives and hundreds of school-going children have to pass through it daily,” Ayoub said.
The locals demand the work should be resumed at earliest and have appealed MLA to initiate the work as soon as possible provided the approaching of winter season. “During winters, the situation is even worse and we can’t help it,” they said.
This North Kashmir’s remote region inhabits the “Kalaroos Cave”, believed to be the way leading to Russia, which was left in lurch by authorities but was later on granted the status of Protected Monuments of Jammu and Kashmir by J&K Tourism Department this year.
When contacted MLA Lolab, Abdul Haq Khan, said the construction was stopped due to lack of funds. “I even went on a sit-in protest in Kupwara regarding the issue,” he said.
“I’m going to meet Governor today and will raise the issue there,” MLA added.
Meanwhile, State Information Department in a statement issued to GNS late in the afternoon said the MLA while holding a meeting with Governor N.N. Vohra in Raj Bhavan raised the issue and other developmental needs of the Lashtiyal village of Kalaroos.
According to statement, the issues raised by MLA included interalia, construction of Lolab-Bandipore Tunnel, speedy completion of Lolab Bye-Pass road at Kupwara, expeditious construction of Kanthpora, Shimrayal, Thayan Mohri, Lashtiyal and Batnar bridges and electrifying all the uncovered villages in Lolab area.
Other demands included launching of a special drive for recruitment of youth of the area in Police and taking all required measures for protection of forests and providing timber and firewood to the people in the required quantities.
The Governor, while interacting with Khan observed that the issues raised by him would be taken up with the concerned authorities in the State Government, the statement added.
