Dilapidated Dharmkund-Tangar-Sawalkote road turns nightmare for people
Banihal, Oct 10: The deteriorating condition of the Dharmkund-Tangar-Sawalkote link road has become a major headache for hundreds of residents of Tangar Panchayat in Ramban district.
The road, which falls under the jurisdiction of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) for its maintenance, remains in a state of disrepair, causing significant inconvenience to the local population of Panchayat Tangar.
The damaged stretches of the road have disrupted bus services operated by the J&K Road Transport Corporation and other passenger vehicles, forcing locals to face daily hardships.
Residents of Tangar Panchayat, located about 30 kilometers from the district and tehsil headquarters Ramban told Greater Kashmir over phone that due to the poor condition of the NHPC-controlled road, transportation options were severely limited, leaving them stranded and struggling to reach Ramban and back.
It may be mentioned here that NHPC is the construction agency of the proposed 1850 MW hydroelectric power project over river Chenab in the Sawalkote area of Ramban district and the roads leading to the Sawalkote passing through the Tangar village.
Local social activist Saddam Bali stated, “The condition of the road, leading to the upcoming Sawalkote hydroelectric project, has been repeatedly brought to the notice of NHPC officials by locals and district authorities, but no corrective action has been taken.”
Bali emphasised, “The NHPC is responsible for maintaining this road.” He alleged that the Corporation’s neglect was making thousands of Panchayat residents suffer.
He further highlighted, “The only transport link connecting Tangar to Ramban headquarters is a single JKRTC bus, with no private bus services available. The drivers of few passenger vehicles, operating in the area, are also hesitant to travel on the damaged road, in the wake of increased risk of accidents.
Saddam Bali has urged the Deputy Commissioner Ramban to intervene and ensure that NHPC restores the Dharmkund-Tangar-Sawalkote link road to a traffic worthy condition to relieve residents from ongoing hardships.
Attempts to contact Tangar Sawalkote based NHPC official Sanju Borel were unsuccessful, as the official hung up on this correspondent who when posed queries regarding the poor condition of road and failure of NHPC to repair it.
