Srinagar, June 5 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) leader Mushtaq Ahmad on Friday demanded immediate repair and black topping of damaged roads which are causing immense sufferings to the people in various areas of Chara-e-Chareef in district Budgam.

In a statement issued to KNS, the JKAP leader urged the Lieutenant Governor led administration to accord some priority to rural areas of J&K especially to district Budgam which is suffering for want of basic necessities like road infrastructure.

“The roads from Chadoora to Sogam, Zoohama, Hanjura, Dadaopora, Sursyar, Branwar and from Sogam to Badipora and similarly road connecting Nagam with Lolipora are in dilapidated condition. People living in these areas are suffering immensely because of official apathy,” Mushtaq said, while appealing to Lieutenant Governor G. C Murmu to order the R&B department to address the issue on priority.

The JKAP leader observed that the inhabitants of these villages especially the student community and patients have been suffering the worst because of the damaged and bumpy roads in these areas.

“The COVID Pandemic should not be used as an excuse by the concerned department to conceal its failure and the district administration should also intervene at its own level to make things work,” he demanded.

He said the patients of these areas are carried on shoulders in extreme cases. “Same happens with delivery cases. The way our villages are neglected by the authorities puts a question mark on the government of India’s claims of developing rural India on a fast track basis,” he added.

Mushtaq said the entire road network in almost all areas falling in Chrar-e-Shareef assembly segment are damaged at many places and are full of potholes. “The rains turn the situation worse due to water-logging in the ditches and potholes resulting in frequent road accidents in these areas,” he said.(KNS)