GCC opposes road project

Srinagar, Mar 15: The Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) J&K has expressed concerns on the rationale behind the proposed Srinagar-Tral- Pahalgam road project on the ground of "massive environmental damage by making inroads into dense forest areas between Tral and Pahalgam ranges and felling of hundreds of forest trees".

In a statement issued here today, GCC said the proposed project is also likely to seriously damage the geologically important fossil belt in and around Khrew and the aquifers in Pashtuna, Mandakpal area causing water scarcity in many villages.  " A thorough environmental impact assessment ( EIA ) MUST precede any action on the DPR. The Government should meanwhile undertake the much-needed improvement of the two existing Srinagar--Pahalgam roads, in particular, the Bijbehara- Langanbal segment which requires widening ".

Further, GCC  cautioned the Government against the "policy of giving infrastructure development in J&K blanket preference unmindful of the likely damage to environment and ecology."