Early Times Report
Rajouri, Sept 30: Inhabitants of Sankari, Kotdhara and adjoining villages in Rajouri tehsil on Saturday, staged demonstrations to protest dilapidated condition of roads in the district.
The blocked the road alleging that the contractor had left the black topping work half way.
Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) has informed that the government has not released the required funds yet.
Black topping work on 10 kilometer road between Kotdhara and Thudi villages was allotted to a contractor about 3 years ago with a cost of about Rs30 lac per kilometer.
After completing 6 kilometers contractor has stopped the work as the department failed to release the payment for the same (more than 80% payment still pending till date).
"Despite several representations to senior PWD (R&B) officials including Superintending Engineer (SE), Executive Engineer (Ex En), district administration and local MLA (former Cabinet Minister) the remaining work couldn't be executed due to financial crunch and the road is in worst condition" said M Ahmed, a local resident.
Now the transporters have reduced the frequency of their vehicles on this dilapidated road and the people are holding protest demonstrations since September 26 and have blocked the road for all the vehicles.
"Today college students held protest demonstration alleging they have missed their assignments scheduled for today as no passenger vehicle plying on this route. Who is responsible for our career? Deputy Commissioner, PWD Officials or the government?" said protesting students.
Employees, students and common people from Perri, Khurad, Panihad areas have been taking long routes to reach their destinations that has disturbed their daily routine.
"Department owes liabilities to the contractor for the already executed work of black topping. The department can't force the contractor to execute remaining work without clearing his pending payment" said Mushtaq A. Raina, Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B). |
