STATE TIMES NEWS
BHADARWAH: A majority of stretch on inter-state Bhadarwah-Chamba Road leading to historic and ancient pilgrimage destinations both at Bhadarwah and Chamba are teeming with potholes, landslides, chocked drains and culverts offering bumpy ride to commuters.
Though the condition of surface infrastructure on this strategically important road, which is the only link after Lakhanpur which connects Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of country, is in pathetic shape, the state R&B authorities are paying no heed to the deteriorating condition.
According to reports, hundreds of tourists and pilgrims commute on Bhadarwah-Chamba Road everyday to visit historical places at Bhadarwah and Chamba respectively and also unexplored tourist destinations, which draws everyone’s attention towards its breath taking locales and unique ancient culture,but unfortunately, the road connecting these two towns is a nightmare for motorists.
Residents complain that lack of repair and upgradation of dilapidated roads disrupt vehicular movement on this strategically important interstate road every now and then. As the condition of Road continues to trouble people, especially tourists and pilgrims, authorities projected Bhadarwah-Chamba Road as the new and alternate road connecting Jammu and Kashmir with rest of the country. But this route has become a big worry for people now.
An eco-tourism village owner, Imtiaz-ul-Rehman Jaggu said that, tourists often complain about the bad quality of roads and we try to explain in vain to authorities that good roads are important for tourism.
“It’s unfortunate that after floating the tenders for full restoration of Bhadarwah – Chamba Road last month, reportedly Superintending Engineering (SE) R&B Doda cancelled the same on the pretext of non-availability of funds,” Jaggu alleged.
A social worker, Manoj Kotwal said that patchwork and partial restoration is not enough to keep the tourist flow. “We want the government should take corrective steps towards bad roads problem by starting full restoration of this important road link” he added.
MLC Naresh Kumar Gupta said that although nearly 100 crore of rupees have been spent on upgradation of Chamba Road, but due to official apathy and political vendetta, all the money and efforts seem to be going to drain.
“I have drawn the attention of House (Council) and also during Cheif Minister’s review meeting towards the issue and CM has promised to look into the matter,” MLC added.
When contacted SE R&B Doda Niaz Ahmed Banday said that we have submitted DPR (Detailed Project Report) to the R&B Ministery regarding full restoration of this inter state road and we are hopeful that we will get a nod to resume work on this important road link. Meanwhile, the road has been partially restored and it’s motorable.
When asked about the cancelation of tenders, SE added by saying, “this office has never cancelled any tender regarding full restoration of Bhadarwah-Chamba Road, in fact, we are planning to officially commission this road within next few weeks.”
