| No road, villagers cross river to access regular needs | | |  EARLY TIMES REPORT
SAMBA, Jan 20: Despite the tall claims of the J&K government about implementation of a plethora of welfare schemes for the people of the Union Territory, many villages that don't even fall in the category of remote areas are still deprived of basic amenities.
Similar is the fate of Sarain and Tunt villages of Nud block in Samba district, which are not far off from Samba town. Lack of road connectivity is still a matter of concern for the locals of Sarain and Tunt villages.
Around 50 families residing in Sarain and Tunt villages, which are about 3 kilometers away from Block Headquarter Nud, could be seen wading through Basantar river on a regular basis for their daily needs in the absence of a proper road connectivity with Nud.
“During summer or winter, we could somehow manage to cross the river, but it is impossible to cross the river during monsoon season when the water level is generally knee-deep. To reach the main road, the river needs to be crossed”, villagers said.
The villagers of Sarain and Tunt reside at one side of Basantar and have to cross the river on foot everyday to reach the village market in Nud for their regular needs which include buying essential commodities, school, college and medical facilities.
The villagers alleged though they have repeatedly requested the concerned local administration for constructing road along the river, their pleas have remained unheard.
The villagers further told that during rainy days, they have to lead a stranded life for several days due to the unavailability of proper road connectivity.
“We live on one side of the river and the nearby market place is Nud, which is on the other side. We have to cross the river for our daily needs. It’s been over 25 years, the concerned authorities have not taken any step to resolve our issues,” alleged a resident of Sarain.
Another local said, “Our school going children have to cross the river every day as their schools are on the other side. Though we have appraised the then MLAs, Sarpanch and local administration about our problem, no steps have been taken yet.”
With no road connectivity, residents of the villages informed that they have to wade across the river carrying patients on a cot or on their shoulders to take them to a hospital. |
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