Pattan, Jan 30: Scores of farmers in Pattan villages are up in arms against the authorities for failing to construct the Benenth bridges along the newly constructed Pattan Bypass at multiple locations, fearing that the lack of access points will cut them off from their orchards and paddy lands.
On Thursday, a protest was held in Palhallan Pattan demanding Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and other agencies to look into the matter or move will severely impact their livelihood, economy of the area.area
Abdul Ahad Yattoo, a local farmer of Yadipora Palhallan said that BRO has not constructed culverts along the newly Pattan Byepass on Srinagar-Baramulla National highway. Not only link roads, also small irrigation canals are being blocked by the authorities.
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“Although at some places small culverts have been constructed, the area diverted from existing link roads and canals, why there is lack of planning, being a very prestigious project,” he said.
Abdul Ahad said that absence of culverts will create major difficulties for local farmers. Without these structures, accessing our agricultural lands will become a challenge,” he said, adding that they will stage protests if demand will not be fulfilled.
Another local Gulzar Ahmad said that the existing small roads would be completely blocked by the byepass and hundreds of acres of orchards and paddy land will come inaccessible. Underpasses should be constructed to ensure connectivity,” he said.
“The pesticide spraying will begin in apple orchards in March month. How will locals reach their orchards when neither the BRO nor any other authority has set up culverts?” he questioned.
Imtiyaz Ahmad Hajam, a local farmer from Andergam, Pattan, told Rising Kashmir that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is constructing a 13-feet culvert along the Andergam-Hyderbeigh road, which will block the movement of trucks and large lorries to the village.
“We have two demands—either the government should connect us with the new Pattan bypass or construct a larger culvert. As apple growers, we rely on trucks using this road throughout the year. If the administration ignores our demand, our village will be completely cut off,” he said.
Imtiyaz further said that people are also facing problems due to the railroad level crossing, which forces them to wait for hours to cross the road.
“We are apple growers, and heavy trucks enter our village throughout the year. If the culvert is too small, we will be landlocked. This is the village’s main road, and our orchards lie beyond the highway, how will we reach them? This is a serious concern,” he added.
Meanwhile for the past several weeks, residents of Andergam have been protesting against the culvert construction, demanding a solution to prevent their isolation or land locked.
Zahid Ahmad Bhat, another farmer from Palhallan village said that they have been demanding proper culverts and bridges for weeks, but no one is listening. If the authorities do not take action soon, our farming activities will suffer immensely.”
“The authorities must understand that agriculture is our primary source of livelihood. Blocking access to our lands will only create more hardships for us,” he said.
Similarly farmers in several villages along the Pattan Bypass have voiced similar grievances, emphasizing that if the bridge and culverts are not constructed by the BRO or Beacon, their lands will remain inaccessible.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, told Rising Kashmir that the issue of culverts along link and major roads will be taken up with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and is expected to be addressed.
Sherpa further urged the concerned delegation to visit the DC office in Baramulla for an on-spot assessment of the issue, assuring that he would meet them personally.
The 11 kilometres long byepass from Zangam to Tapper is aimed to alleviate congestion in Pattan town which often faces traffic jams for hours and improve accessibility to key destinations. It was also expected to significantly reduce travel times and enhance overall transportation efficiency
