REITERATES DEMAND FOR SANCTIONING OF SNOW CLEARANCE MACHINES;
JK News Today
Banihal, Feb 1; National Conference (NC) leader and District President, Ramban Sajjad Shaheen has expressed concern over the difficulties being faced by the people because of closure of major link roads due to recent snow fall and incessant rains in district Ramban particularly in Banihal constituency.
Shaheen said that due to recent heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Banihal constituency during the last two days, a lot of snow has accumulated in different villages especially hilly and inaccessible areas like Mahu, Mangit, Neel , Sarachi, Trigam, Kawna, Buzla, Pogal, Maligam, Allinbas, Senabati Bingara, Paristan, Dardahi, Gagarnag, Runigam, Sarbagni, Chaka, Dhak, Kharwan, Phago, Hinjhal, Nowgam, Zaban,Top Neel, Gool, Sangaldan, Deedha, Dharam,Indh, Batote, Chabba and other areas and people living in these areas are facing immense problems due to blockade of roads and lack of basic amenities like drinking water electricity, transport and eatables and rations’, he added.
Shaheen also expressed concern over utility services, especially power and drinking water supply getting erratic even in the event of short spell of snowfall and said this needs to be looked into and advance arrangements made for providing respite to the people.
He said in the aftermath of the snowfall and rain, the electricity supply in certain mountainous terrains had been disrupted and the water supply too had been hampered.
The district president further said that, “the major link roads that include Banihal- Sarachi-Mangit road, Nachlana-Mahu road, Bawa-Trigam road, Chamalwas-Neel road, Banihal-Hinjhal road, Chamalwas-Chaknarwa, Hewagan- Neel -Zarari road, Shalgari -Panchal road, Ukharhal-Maligam-Pogal road that have been blocked due to snow and landslides should be restored immediately and the transport services resumed so that essential supplies could reach to these areas.
He further said that most of the areas in district Ramban particularly Banihal are facing erratic drinking water supply and power failure. The services needed to be restored on an immediate basis, he added.
Reiterating his demand for sanctioning of snow clearance machinery Sajjad Shaheen has appealed to the LG administration to sanction advanced snow clearance machinery in district Ramban particularly in the snow bound Banihal area. He said that it is unfortunate that the entire district Ramban which is a high prone snow zone and witnesses heavy snowfall during winters has not even a single snow cutting machine nor snow vehicles, ploughs, cutters, and front-end loaders.
Shaheen has urged the Administration to expedite restoration work and ensure supply of essential commodities besides electricity and drinking water to the people and also have a preliminary survey conducted to assess the damages due to rains and snowfall across the State so that adequate assistance will be provided to the affected families.
