Ramban villagers forced to carry transformer on shoulders in absence of road connectivity

Banihal, June 03: A viral video from Tehsil Khari in Ramban district has sparked widespread attention, showing more than 20 villagers physically carrying an electric transformer on their shoulders down a steep hillside.

The heavy transformer is tied with iron pipes for some ease during on foot journey of 3 kilometers upto Khari-Mahoo road.

Locals said the faulty transformer was being transported to main road from village Buzzla in Khari tehsil. The road access to Buzzla remains incomplete due to two years delay in the construction of link road project.

Local residents said that the road has not been completed due to pending forest clearance, leaving them to carry heavy transformers, construction material, ration and even patients on foot for several kilometers. We carry the sick the same way on our shoulders because ambulances can't reach us.

The villagers demanded immediate administrative approval on forest clearance issue to start the work on Kawna-Buzzla link road.

They said work is allotted to a contract and funds are available but forest clearance has halted the road project under NABARD.