People here Thursday held a protest demonstration against the authorities for violation of environmental norms by dumping excavated material during road construction into Chenab river.
Scores of people including labourers, workers, shopkeepers and members of district Congress committee alleged that a private contractor, working on the four-laning of Srinagar-Jammu national highway project, and sub contractors were violating environmental rules and directions of National Green Tribunal (NGT) by dumping the material in the river.
The protestors assembled at Bus Stand Ramban and alleged that during execution of the works from Nashri to Banihal, the Contractor Company and subcontractors have wreaked environmental havoc in the district by throwing muck and boulders in Chenab and rivulets.
“The highway has developed large pot holes but no repair work is being carried out and hence the people living alongside the highway as well as the shopkeepers are made to suffer,” they said. “The highway is in deplorable condition due to lack of ill maintenance and want of repairs which has virtually turned it into a killer road.”
Advocate Arun Singh Raju while addressing protestors leveled allegations on the authorities for their inaction despite complaints and requests lodged before them by people. He alleged that National Highway Authority of India, district administration and concerned department have given a free hand to the private contractor company and sub contractors for developing the roads.