Peerzada sayeed
Tangdar/karnah Oct 21 (KNS): The residents of Border town karmah and Tangdar on Wednesday expressed strong resentment against the authorities for failing to construct a tunnel in the area.

According to the aggrieved residents, despite assurances for construction of a tunnel at Nasta Chun Gali at an altitude of 12,000 feet and the detailed project report provided by Beacon to the Central Government is not being implemented yet.

They said owing to that Residents of the area are facing indescribable difficulties especially during the winter. As soon as the snowfall season begins, the areas of Karnah and Keran remains cut off from the valley. Even women in labor are transported to Kupwara on old-fashioned cots.
A residents of the area said, 6.5 km long tunnel has been proposed on Karnah-Kupwara highway which will reduce the travel time between Karnah and Kupwara from three hours to one and a half hour. The construction process will start after it secures the green signal from the Ministry of Defense. As per sources The DPR and feasibility report sent by the Beacon Department to the Central Government for the construction of the tunnel here has been reviewed by the Ministry of Defense. Beacon officials said that only after receiving the green signal from the Center Construction work on the project can be undertaken. Nasta Chun Gali on Karnah Kupwara Highway is at an altitude of 12,000 feet and during the winter season, 12 to 15 feet of snow accumulates on this pass, as a result of which the locals are cut off from the rest of the world.
In such cases, not only do the patients die due to lack of medical aid, but also the area is deprived of basic amenities. As many as 200 people have been killed in avalanches near Karnah so far.
The locals said that the people of Karnah have been demanding since over 20 years that a tunnel be built on the highway as its construction will not only lead to construction and development here but also bring people in and out of the city throughout the year. It will also be easier and safer route avoiding the avoidable casualties.
Wali Ahmad Qureshi, president of the Karnah Tunnel Coordination Committee, says the government is claiming construction and development in Kashmir, but this claims will not prove to be a success until the 30-year-old demand for a tunnel is met.
Pirzada Siraj-ud-Din Qureshi, chairman of civil Society Karnah, told KNS that from 70 years, Karnah has become an example where the government has no desire to improve the lives of the people. Despite its importance, no action has been taken in this regard. He said that this tunnel would be a lifeline for the people of Karnah but no special attention has been paid to it.(KNS)