Danter Anantnag cries for attention as basic amenities remain a distant dream, allege locals
Pulwama: Several localities of Danter, an area located on the outskirts of Anantnag town, continue to reel under acute neglect as basic civic amenities remain either inadequate or completely absent.
Residents of Safapora and Haiderpora, in particular, allege that despite being close to the district headquarters, their area presents a grim picture of underdevelopment, causing daily hardship to the people.
Locals say that the absence of proper roads has severely affected their mobility, especially during rainy seasons when kacha pathways turn into muddy stretches, making movement of pedestrians, schoolchildren, elderly people and patients extremely difficult.
“We live just a kilometre of two away from Anantnag town, yet it feels like we are in a far-flung area. There are no proper roads, and during rains it becomes nearly impossible to walk or commute,” said a resident of Safapora.
Adding to their woes, the drainage system in the area has collapsed over the years. Residents complain that blocked and damaged drains have resulted in frequent waterlogging, leading to foul smells and unhygienic conditions. “Dirty water remains stagnant outside our houses for days. Mosquitoes and other insects have multiplied, posing serious health risks, especially for children,” said a woman resident of Haiderpora.
Social activist Tariq Ahmad from the area said that the people of Danter have been knocking on the doors of the administration for more than a decade, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
“For the last ten years, we have submitted memorandums and approached various departments, demanding construction of main and link roads, restoration of the drainage system and other basic facilities. Unfortunately, nothing has moved beyond assurances,” he said.
Ahmad further said that the lack of basic infrastructure reflects poorly on governance, particularly when the area lies so close to the district headquarters. “It is unfortunate that areas near the town are left in such a state. Development should not be limited to select pockets; it must reach every locality,” he added.
Residents have now urged the district administration to take immediate and concrete steps to address their long-pending demands. “We are not asking for anything extraordinary—only basic amenities that every citizen deserves. Authorities must visit the area and see our condition for themselves,” said another local.
The people of Danter have appealed to the higher authorities to intervene at the earliest, keeping public hardship in view, so that these persistent issues are resolved and residents are spared further inconvenience and health risks.
