Mir Basheer

Pattan, Mar 12: People of Pattan area have strongly opposed the government’s proposal to construct a bypass from Hanjiwera to Tapper on the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway. 

The people have demanded that the proposal for the construction of the bypass be cancelled as the livelihoods of those dependent on the traffic passing through Pattan town would suffer if the highway is diverted along a different route. 

The locals said that the Government has asked the National Highway Authority of India and Border Road Organisation to conduct a survey for the construction of a bypass from Hanjiwera to Tapper from the western side of Pattan town along a route five kilometres away from Pattan and asked the both these agencies to submit their report till 31st of March 2021.

“But if the proposal is approved, it would prove disastrous for the people of this historical town as hundreds of educated youth, labourers, transporters, traders and farmers are dependent on the traffic passing along the National Highway through Pattan town for their livelihoods. If the road is diverted, all these people will lose their means of earning a living,” a local who owns a shop in the town said.

Imran Gojry, who holds an MBA degree and has established a grocery shop in the town along the highway, said that the highway which passes through Pattan has helped him earn a livelihood and its diversion would affect his business severely.

A “social activist”, Tariq Ahmed said, "Pattan is a historical town and has been an epicentre of trade since centuries. If the proposal is approved, the town would lose its importance, which will prove to be a disaster for the economy of the area.”

Traders’ Union Pattan has also opposed this move. General Secretary of the union, Mushtaq Ahmed said, “We met the Divisional Commissioner recently and we have expressed our opposition to this proposal.”