Banihal, Feb 21: National Conference leader and District President Ramban, Sajjad Shaheen on Wednesday expressed concern over the difficulties being faced by the people due to the closure of major link roads caused by recent snowfall and incessant rains in the district.
Shaheen said, “The higher reaches of Banihal, Ramban and Gool have witnessed the season’s second snowfall during the last few days and snow has accumulated in different villages especially hilly and inaccessible areas like Mahu, Mangit, Neel, Amkote -Thachi, Sarachi, Trigam, Pogal, Maligam, Allinbas, Senabati, Bingara, Paristan, Dardahi, Sumar, Gagarnag, Runigam, Sarbagni, Chaka, Dhak, Kharwan, Phago, Hinjhal, Nowgam, Zaban, Top Neel, Batote, Dharam, Chachwa, Indh, Sangaldan, Thatharka, Deedha, Gool and other areas and people living in these villages are facing immense problems due to blockade of roads and lack of basic amenities like drinking water electricity, transport and eatables and rations.”
He expressed concern over utility services, especially power and drinking water supply getting erratic even in the event of minor snowfall and said this needs to be looked into and advance arrangements made for providing respite to the people.
“In the aftermath of the ongoing snowfall and rain, the electricity supply in certain mountainous terrains had been disrupted and the water supply too had been hampered,” the NC leader said, adding that the major link roads that include Banihal- Thachi- Mangit road, Nachlana-Mahu road, Bawa-Trigam road, Chamalwas-Neel road, Chamalwas-Chaknarwa, Hewagan- Neel -Zarari roads 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.
Sajjad said most of the areas in district Ramban particularly Banihal are facing erratic drinking water supply and power failure. The services need to be restored on an immediate basis, he added.
Shaheen urged the administration to expedite restoration work and ensure the supply of essential commodities besides electricity and drinking water to the people and have a preliminary survey conducted to assess the damages due to rains and snowfall. He demanded adequate compensation to the affected families.
