Kishtwar, June 27: Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Vice Chairman, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori on Thursday appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to address the “persistent neglect” in the Kishtwar district.
In a recent meeting with several deputations in the Chatroo village, Saroori, according to a DPAP statement issued here, highlighted critical issues plaguing the district, particularly the urgent need for the construction of a cancer hospital and improved road connectivity.
Saroori emphasised the pressing need for the construction of a cancer hospital, which was sanctioned in 2014. He said that despite the approval, no progress has been made over the past decade.
“The absence of this vital healthcare facility continues to put the lives of countless residents at risk, forcing them to travel long distances for treatment,” he said.
The DPAP leader urged the LG to start the work on cancer hospital construction to provide much-needed medical services to the district’s population.
During his visit to Chatroo, Saroori met with local deputations who apprised him of the day-to-day problems faced by the general masses. One of the primary concerns raised was the lack of road connectivity in the region. Saroori alleged that despite the central government’s promises, not an inch of new link roads has been constructed in Kishtwar district over the past ten years.
He stressed the importance of connecting villages with populations of 250 or more, citing specific areas in desperate need of road infrastructure. These include Batwari to Sheeri, Sigdi to Pahalgam, Kuchal to Niccha, Kuchal to Basha, Keshwan to Jungna Balna, Balana to Nazla, Thal to Kwath, Dhnouthe to Mori and Sharekh to Burdhar and others.
Saroori said that while the government is focusing on the development of highways, it must not overlook the essential infrastructure needs of rural and far-flung areas. “Road connectivity is a fundamental right for these communities, crucial for their development and access to basic amenities,” he said.
He requested the LG to visit Kishtwar personally to witness the issues firsthand. “A direct visit from the LG would provide a clearer understanding of the district’s challenges and prompt immediate action. The visit would also serve as a reassurance to the local population that their concerns are being taken seriously at the highest levels of governance,” he said.
“The call for the LG’s intervention is a call for justice, development and the upliftment of a region that has been left behind for far too long,” the DPAP Vice Chairman added.
