‘BiPaSa’ drives Udhampur voters to polling booths in hordes

Udhampur, Oct 1: It was a journey from potholed roads to dusty patches, crisscrossing interiors of Udhampur East and Udhampur West assembly segments to reach various polling stations, witnessing brisk polling.

Udhampur district, comprising four assembly segments i.e., Udhampur West, Udhampur East, Chenani and Ramnagar (SC), went to polls on Tuesday along with Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.

With most of the markets shut on account of polling day, it seemed as if the city was enjoying a lazy morning. But miles away, outside polling stations, one could see a colourful crowd swelling slowly yet at a steady pace. By 10 am, one could see voters arriving at the polling stations in groups.

“You would have gained first-hand experience while traversing on roads here to reach polling stations. Yes, Udhampur is surrounded by a network of roads. To travel on (National) Highway (to Udhampur) is an amazing experience but interior roads are in contrast. Ask anyone, even after decades, it is ‘Bijli, Paani, Sadak’ (BiPaSa), which is bringing us all- young and old to polling booths. We have not lost hope hence I’m also here with my mother to vote – my maiden tryst with democracy,” shares chirpy Swati Gandotra, 21, who exercised her voting right at Polling Station number 66, established in District Forest Office in Udhampur West assembly segment. Her mother Veena Gandotra, 54, too agrees.

23-year-old Simran and 19-year-old Janvi, both first timers along with their mothers joined the conversation. “Yes, scarcity of jobs is also a priority issue for us. But road, water are also basic amenities. How can they be ignored?” they ask.

“We are elated but want our representative to address these concerns,” they add.

Rita Devi, 27, who was there along with her mother-in-law Bimla Devi (60) and husband Rajesh Kumar (29) too had a grouse on account of dilapidated roads and hefty power bills. “Employment and development are two major issues, high on the minds of all voters,” says 26-year-old Rakesh Sharma.

“Roads are constructed yet within months, they turn into potholed stretches. Probably sub-standard material is used. After the election, it is difficult to catch hold of our representatives. It’s my experience as I’ve voted a number of times. Water scarcity for us is another serious issue. Whosoever comes to power should also think about pension enhancement,” Bimla Devi, 66, shares her account of woes.

For Rakhee, 46, peace is the most significant. “It’s crucial for development. We want peace and strict measures to contain terrorism and infiltrators,” she says.

In a Polling Station set up in Primary School Nainsu of Udhampur East, 24-year old Ashween Kaur voted along with her parents and sister-in-law, in search of “a good representative”, who could solve their “problems related to roads, water and employment.”

Parvinder Singh, 29, echoes similar sentiments.

Few yards away from Middle School Ballian, a group of male voters was engaged in a random chat. Out of them, Ajay, 33, while spelling out woes on account of ‘BiPaSa’, brings to the fore another important issue. “We are facing serious problems on account of drug menace. Even school children, adolescents are falling prey to ‘Chitta.’ How it reaches them is a matter of concern. Mushrooming of liquor shops is also a nagging issue,” he says.

For brother-sister duo of Deepanshu (21) and Diya Sharma (20), “discrimination with general category students” was perturbing. “What will happen to us?” they ask.