BHADARWAH: After seven decades of independence and despite Centrally Sponsored Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yogna (PMGSY) in place since 2000 which ensures road connectivity to every village having minimum population of 250 souls, Dhadkai area of Bhallesa inhabited by more than 4,000 souls still waiting for the road connectivity.
Panchayats Dhadkai-A, Dhadkai-B and adjoining Shelai village in Bhallessa area of District Doda located on a steep hill, having a population of 4,200 souls, is just 7 Km from Gandoh town.
Panchayats of Dhadkai-A, Dhadkai-B and adjoining Shelai village consist of 4,200 people of Schedule Tribe.
PMGSY started work on Gandoh-Dhadkai road in 2008 but after eight years, only earth work of a meager two Km is partially completed, which clearly shows apathy of authorities towards poor people,” said Chairman, Panchayat Dhadkai-B, Haji Mohd Latief.
“Due to non availability of the road, we are suffering huge losses and despite toiling hard almost round the clock, we are becoming economically bankrupt as the sand bag which costs Rs 20 at Gandoh, for the same we have to pay Rs 120 here but neither government nor the Tribal Ministry considers this. These circumstances are unfortunately pushing us to begging,” added Haji Latief. The women folk, especially girls seem to be the worst sufferers as none of the girl from these three Panchayats could continue her study beyond 10th standard. The villagers said that they don’t have any political patronage or some influential person who can put forth their genuine demand effectively and our elected political representatives seem to be least bothered about our pathetic condition in absence of road which is the only communication link and is considered life of the hilly areas. In case of any emergency, people of these villages have no other option but to carry the patient in a Sedan (Paalki) or on their back to trekk 12 Km on dangerous slope to reach motorable road which sometime turns fatal.
When contacted MoS Roads and Buildings , Sunil Sharma said “there were some problems in completion of PMGSY roads, especially in District Doda including land dispute, Court cases and funding, now we are going to speed up the work and all the pending projects will be completed soon as we have recently got sanction from the Union Government under 10th phase of PMGSY.”