Tral-Pahalgam road continues to remain a distant dream, allege locals
Pulwama: The residents of Pahalgam belt in Anantnag district and Tral belt in Pulwama district have been demanding the construction of Tral-Pahalgam road for last several years but the project is yet to see the light of the day, residents alleged Friday.
The residents of Lihindajan, Walarhama, Sallar, Kular, Liver and it’s adjacent areas in Pahalgam belt and Bugmud, Karmulla, Panner, Mandoora, Bhatnoor and its adjacent areas in Tral belt said that the successive governments promised them that the road stretch will be constructed as it will be shortest road between Tral and the World famous picnic spot Pahalgam, however these promises have proved bogus on ground.
They said that just nine kilometre road needs to be constructed from Bhatnoora in Tral to Lehandajan in Pahalgam to connect two vast areas that will provide a separate road connectivity to the area and will decrease rush on the main roads leading to Pahalgam.
They said that the route can be later used as an alternative route for Amarnaath Yatra and will be shortest route for people to visit Pahalgam from Srinagar and vice versa.
The residents said that if the road will be constructed the distance between Tral and Pahalgam will reduce drastically and people from both areas won’t need to take long routes to each of these areas.
Irshad Ahmad, a resident of Sallar area said that from decades they have been taking up this issue with each and every official but on ground no concrete steps are being taken.
Road connectivity will help the people of both districts to get connected and will help these economically backward areas to earn their livelihood as connectivity will increase tourism flow in the area.
Residents of both Tral and Pahalgam areas requested higher ups to look into the matter and start work on this stretch immediately so that residents of both districts can heave a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile officials said that the government has taken up this issue with the union government and they are waiting for a reply from their side.
They added that department has already submitted DPR and the estimated cost of the road is 29 Cr rupees, however, they are waiting to get NOC from the forest department as well.
They, however, assured that they expect a breakthrough in this regard soon.
