Kullar villagers vote for better infrastructure

Kullar (Phalgam) Sep 18: The women of Banpora Kullar, a village in Pahalgam area of Anantnag , turned out in large numbers at the polling stations on Wednesday to exercise their right to vote.

The mixed population of Kashmiri locals and Gujjars from the area showed up despite the village's long-standing issues of inadequate infrastructure, with no road connectivity, lack of potable water, and no access to electricity.

Banpora Kullar is a village frozen in time. In the age of cyber advancements, the basic facilities remain elusive for its residents, particularly its women, who carry the brunt of these hardships. Without a road, any construction work has to be done manually, with villagers carrying materials on their shoulders across rough terrain. The residents have no access to piped drinking water, forcing them to walk more than a kilometre daily to fetch potable water.

In the absence of electricity, the village still relies on traditional methods of lighting.

This time, however, there is a glimmer of hope. Contesting candidates in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections have promised to bring development to this neglected corner of Pahalgam, starting with the construction of a road. The promise of this road, a lifeline for the village, drove voters in large numbers to the polling stations, with women leading the charge.

"We have been carrying the weight of these hardships for years," says Shaista Begum, a middle-aged resident of Banpora Kullar. "Every time someone gets sick, we have to carry them on our backs to the nearest road. In winters, it becomes impossible. If this road is built, it will change our lives."

The lack of road connectivity has hindered not just access to healthcare but also economic development. Villagers find it hard to transport goods or even construct homes. For Zareena Bano, another local woman, the road would mean a world of difference for her children's future.

"I have two daughters," she explains. "Right now, they walk miles to reach school. It’s unsafe, especially during harsh weather. If the road is built, they will be able to go to school easily, and maybe we will see more development in our village."

The lack of potable water is another pressing issue. "Fetching water has been our daily struggle," says Taj Begum, an elderly woman with a visibly worn face. "We walk for an hour to collect drinking water, and many times, we must ration it for our families. We are casting our votes today, hoping these promises will turn into reality."

Absence of electricity further complicates life in Banpora Kullar. With no power supply, the village is plunged into darkness at night, relying on kerosene lamps. The younger generation, especially students, find it difficult to study under such conditions.

Rubina Akhtar, a student in her final year of school, laments: "I want to study and become a teacher, but how do I do that without electricity? We have no internet, no access to modern facilities. Our village is far behind the rest of the world."

As the women of Banpora Kullar cast their votes, their voices echo a collective hope – that this election will bring the long-awaited change. They are placing their trust in the candidates' promises, hoping that after years of being neglected, their village will finally be connected to the rest of the region with a road, and the days of carrying water on their backs and living in darkness will soon be a memory of the past.

"We are tired of hearing empty promises," says Amina Bano. "But this time, we are hopeful. If they give us the road, we will support them forever."

As the results of the election are awaited, the women of Banpora Kullar remain hopeful that their voices, amplified by their votes, will finally bring change to their village. For them, this election is not just about choosing a leader; it is about reclaiming their right to a dignified life.