Critical Margan road awaits restoration, residents at risk

Anantnag , April 01: The residents in picturesque twin valleys of Marwah-Warwan nestled between the Pirpanchal mountain ranges of Kishtwar district have been facing a harrowing time from past four months due to snail’s pace progress in snow clearance on Margan top block boundary Anantnag-Mulwarwan road , the only surface link connecting them to the outside world .
The slow progress in snow clearance on this road has left 500000 souls of twin valleys in a deep shock, leading to an acute shortage of essential commodities.
The residents of twin valleys have exhibited a vehement sense of displeasure towards the PMGSY department for their inability to promptly reinstate the sole means of transportation.
A local resident from Marwah valley Sheikh Yaseen told Rising Kashmir that the closure of the road has immensely increased the chaos and restlessness among the residents of the area which has led to severe shortage of essential commodities.
“The clock is ticking, and every passing moment brings more despair and agony to the residents of twin valleys,” he said.
He said that they have to wait till June to visit Kashmir or Kishtwar headquarters to buy essentials, medicines, warm clothes and other necessities.
Yaseen said that this is not all-weather route as the road remains shut for six months each year, leaving the inhabitants of the area in a perpetual state of fear and anxiety.
Another local resident Ghulam Hasan from Warwan valley said that those who are sick and in dire need of medical attention, the closure of the road puts their lives at risk, as there is no medical facility in the area.
Hasan said that government authorities must make alternative arrangements to ensure that the lives of the people are not put at risk.
He said that valuable human lives are being forfeited not only during the cold winter months but also during scorching summers due to the inadequate provision of efficient transportation infrastructure.
The locals of the area urged high-ups to intervene into the matter and redress the ongoing crisis.
However Executive Engineer PMGSY, Marwa Mohd Aslam told Rising Kashmir that his team is working tirelessly to restore the road amid unfavourable weather conditions on Margen top.
“Amid continuous snowfall and apprehensions of avalanche at Margan-Top we have deployed a team who are working in restoring the road by putting their lives at risk,” he said.
He said that if the weather conditions remain favourable, the road will be restored within week’s of time.
“We have restored 20kms road from the Marwa side and from Inshan to Marwa the road will be restored within two days,” he said.
While talking to Rising Kashmir, Additional District Development Commissioner Kishtwar Sham Lal said that it was expected that the road would be restored before the month of Ramadhan.
He said that the restoration of this particular road was in process from last month but unfortunately continuous unfavorable weather conditions on Margan-Top delayed restoring the road.