Kulgam, May 30 : Residents of Gujjar Basti Pranhall in Kulgam district on Saturday staged a peaceful protest, demanding the early completion of a road project that has been pending since 2022.
The protesters, comprising local residents including elderly persons and women, alleged that despite land acquisition and the road-widening process being initiated in 2022, no significant progress has been achieved since then, leaving the stretch in a dilapidated condition.
“We have been waiting for the completion of this road for several years. Only a small portion of the work was carried out, and since then the project has remained stalled,” the protesters said, appealing to Deputy Commissioner Kulgam to intervene and ensure early execution of the project.
The residents said the road serves as a vital link for the area, essential for transportation and access to basic services. They noted that school-going children, patients, and elderly people are among the worst affected, particularly during winter and the rainy season.
“Students face difficulties in reaching their schools, while patients struggle to access healthcare facilities during emergencies due to the poor condition of the road,” a local resident said.
Meanwhile, officials of the PMGSY Sub-Division D.H. Pora told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the road has already been submitted to the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) for approval.
“We have forwarded the DPR to the concerned authorities and are currently awaiting approval. We are hopeful that the project will receive the necessary clearance from the Central Government soon,” the officials said. (KNS)
