Despite repeated assurances by political representatives and successive officers in recent years, thousands of people living in Gambhir Mughal belt of the district face immense difficulties everyday due to poor road network and water crisis. The locals are irked over the constant problems and have pinned their hopes on the present district administration now.
Alleging step-motherly treatment since decades, the residents claimed that they have time and again put forth their demand for overcoming the developmental crisis in the area. During a recent public interaction tour in the area by the district administration, led by DDC Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, the locals highlighted all of their demands, a list of which is available with Greater Kashmir.
These demands clearly represented that the people, from Manjakote to Gambhir Mughal, want better basic amenities and improvement in health, education and road connectivity.
As per the details, during the recent visit of the district administration, people alleged, “The original survey of PMGSY road from Patrara to Dabrote is being violated by the department itself. We have also demanded a re-survey for BPL lists as a number of non-deserving influential people have managed to get their names entered in the lists.”
The people from Lower Kakora, Murian, Dabrote and Galuti highlighted the prevailing water crisis and demanded the installation of hand pumps. Similarly, the Niala village residents demanded a new link road.
Meanwhile, the residents of Murian demanded the construction of bridge and a health centre, whereas the people from a Bakerwal Mohalla projected the acute shortage of water in their area.
A new road link from Gambhir Mughlan to Gambhir Ghali, while work on the sanctioned road from Ghambir bridge to Peer Mohalla should be started at an earliest were also among the demands.
The locals also expressed concern over the status of education in local government schools, besides shortage of staff at Primary Health Centre Gambhir Mughlan, with the burning issue continuing to be absenteeism.
They also castigated the Public Health Engineering department for the alleged callous approach, which led to the closure of Dhori Maal Water Supply Schemes. Other issues raised by people were shortage of staff at High School Hattan Seri and Higher Secondary School Gambhir Mughlan, non-availability of banking facility in the area, dilapidated condition of water tank constructed at Hattan Seri, delay in release of land compensation for Gambhir Mughlan-Hattan Seri PMGSY road, additional electric poles, posting of staff in animal husbandry sub centre, construction of roads from High School to Mandal, Ladyal to Shadra Sharif, Khala Khaiter to Mohalla Ghai, repair of dilapidated road from Patrara to Gambhir Mughlan and opening of new ration sale point at Niali.
A senior district administration officer said that all the demands have been enlisted by the district administration and a developmental plan for the area is under process. Meanwhile, people of the area appealed to the authorities to redress their demands.
“People talk about solar missions and we are requesting for electric poles, posting of staff in institutions and good roads,” Mohammed Ilyas, a local, said.