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| Sopore, a sordid saga of official neglect, apathy | | | Mudasir Tariq
Early Times Report
SOPORE, Feb 20 : Once known as 'Chotta London' for its affluence and economic boom, this north Kashmir town now symbolizes a miserable tale of discrimination and official apathy. Over the years the town has been rundown from all the developmental works.
Most of the roads here are in dilapidated condition, hospital buildings are under construction from many years and running out of staff, the construction of a by-pass bridge is going on from the last 10 years without any signs of completion. People have been deprived of basic facilities like clean drinking water and 24 hours availability of electricity.
"This town has been deprived of every entity; no one pays any heed to develop the town. This was a crown of towns in Baramulla district but now it's losing the shine. The condition of roads is worse, frequent traffic jams is a daily routine here. There is dust and dirt everywhere. Street lights and lying defunct. Heath care facilities are very poor," said Nazir Ahmad Wani, a local.
The residents of the town allege that they have been deliberately put behind because of the strong separatist sentiment present here.
"During last two decades Sopore experienced a lot of political upheaval and suffered a lot on every front. Every family and every person here suffered immensely. Blood of both the warring groups and the common man spilled on the streets and fields of Sopore, with all this the town was deliberately left out from the books of politicians. Nothing has been done to develop this town," said Mushtaq Ahmad, a lecturer.
While talking about the healthcare of the town residents lament that Sub District Hospital Sopore on which work was started many years back is yet to complete.
"The foundation stone for construction of the 200- bedded hospital was laid in late 80's but till date only its OPD block has been completed. At present the hospital is running from the OPD block which was thrown open in March 2008.
The work on In- Patient Department, Operation Theatre, Service block and Nursing block is still going on. The condition of Mother and Childcare hospital is no different, it is placed in an age old building and lacks proper infrastructure and staff," said a group of residents.
According to residents the town faces an acute shortage of clean drinking water round the year however authorities have done nothing to lower down their problems.
"Most of the areas of the town particularly those of old Sopore and colonies like Noorbagh, Shallapora, Badambagh and Model Town bear the brunt of water crisis throughout the year. The failure of Public Health Engineering Department to pump the required 24 lakh gallons of water daily to cater to the needs of the town is main cause for the water shortage here," said Mohammad Ishaq, a local.
With the formation of new government on cards, the residents here requested that the town should be developed on priority basis to maintain its sheen forever. |
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