Residents rue delay in restoration of HMV traffic on Lagama-Garkote road in Uri

Uri, July 21: Residents of Garkote village of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district have demanded immediate tendering for the restoration work of Lagama-Garkote road to facilitate the heavy vehicular movement (HVM).

The road has been closed for heavy vehicles for more than three months due to a portion being washed away by the landslides triggered by heavy rains in the Lagama area.

A delegation of locals informed Greater Kashmir that an amount of Rs 32 lakhs has been sanctioned for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) office in Uri for the construction of protection walls and maintenance of the stretch at Lagama area.

“It has been around fifteen days since the amount was sanctioned to them but they are yet to begin the tendering process. It is really unfortunate on the part of the department as they are showing callous approach in maintaining this road,” locals said.

Locals said that they are facing various hardships due to the closure of the road for heavy vehicles.

“Neither buses nor mini-buses are operating on this route. The portion which was caved in needs a major repair. The concerned department needs to build strong protection walls to prevent further erosion,” said Reyaz Ahmad, a local.

He said that with buses unable to reach the village, students’ education has severely been affected.

“Many students have discontinued their studies as they are unable to afford the cab fare every day. Our life has become miserable,” he said.

Bashir Ahmad, another resident, highlighted their inability to ferry the patients to the hospital. “Everybody can’t afford to take a cab. We rely on buses to move in and around Uri but the services have been affected for three months now. We demand that restoration work should begin immediately,” he said.

“Essential service vehicles carrying gas, vegetables and rations are also unable to reach the village,” he added.

A senior PMGSY official in Uri acknowledged that the amount has been sanctioned by the government. “I expect the tendering process to commence within a few days,” he told Greater Kashmir.