Batote, Aug 4: It may sound incredible, but it’s true. Hundreds of people of Saraj area in Ramban district remain cut off from rest of the world since last more than a year and now only hope of their survival is a rope-way (jhoola) and mercy of God on which they have been left by the government.
 Comprising of around 25 panchayats and over 3000 souls, Saraj area is located on the left bank of river Chenab adjoining highway township of Batote. The two foot bridges, the only connectivity of this area with rest of world, over Chenab were submerged due to the increase of water level in the river around a year back.
 Locals say the government has turned a blind eye towards hundreds of souls living in the area as no alternate arrangements were made before increasing the water level of the river due to construction of reservoir from Baglihar to Pul Doda.
 “Government knew that the bridges will be submerged as every inch of water level was calculated”, a local resident Gian Chand said adding, “However, nothing was done by the government to provide alternate connectivity to the area”.
 Locals claimed that knowing that the bridges will be submerged by the rising water level, some local contractors got their own Gandolas (rope-ways) constructed over the river. There are two private rope-ways, one at Assar and another at Trungal. “These are the only life-line for the people here and we do not know if it is legal or illegal”,
 Khushal Singh of Gagla Panchayat said.
 People here claimed that the government has constructed two similar rope ways but thanks to the red tap these gondolas are not been made functional.
 “In year 2009 government constructed two Gondalas with the cost of  96 Lakh and are ready to serve the people but same are lying defunct for the best reason known to the local administration”, Kuldeep Singh Bandral, a Sarpanch of the area claimed.
 Villager alleged that the private rope-ways operator are hand in glove with some local officials and are deliberately delaying the functioning of the official rope-ways. “The people are being charged by these operators at will”, a local said adding, “Rs 25 to Rs 50 per passenger is being charged and that too right under the nose of district administration”.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 4 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 4 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 5 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST