GREF responsible for poor road network in Doda and Kishtwar: Saroori

Demanded immediate restoration of Kishtwar-Sinthan on war footing bases; asked people to come in large numbers and vote in favour of Azad on 17^th April.

Kishtwar, 06 April: - Former R&B Minister and Congress MLA Inderwal, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori today blame the central agency General Reserve Engineering Force (GREF) authorities for worst condition of roads in entire Kishtwar and Doda region.

Saroori, cavalcade was stopped twice due to landslides and shooting stones who after addressing the public meetings at Kandothe area of Thathri was on way to Chatroo some 50km from Thathri seeking votes in favour of Congress candidate from Udhampur parliament seat Ghulam Nabi Azad.

People surrounded his cavalcade and complained about bad roads, non-availability of Ration and non-clearance of slips on PMGSY and JKPCC roads including Bunjwah, Thalaran, Kuchal roads.

“GREF who is responsible for maintaining 120 KM Batote-Doda-Kishtwar National Highway and 85 KM Kishtwar-Sinthan road are using sub standard material in road construction and fail to maintain the National Highway II as people are suffering badly on this road stretch, which has sunk at more than 20 places while the landslides have become order of day. He (Saroori) shows anger towards GREF for their failure in making a comprehensive plan to tackle with the issue of continuous road blockade on these two important road stretches connecting the twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar having population of over 7 lakh souls with the rest of the state” Saroori said.

Saroori said that the work executed by the GREF needs to be looked into seriously, particularly with respect to the use of sub standard material in construction work by the authorities and seek a detail and independent probe against this central agency.

He has issued an ultimatum to GREF authorities to either improve the quality of work and maintain the road surface, or be ready to face the public wrath. He said that despite the matter has been bought into the notice of higher authorities of the District, state and GREF authorities, nothing was done on ground which indicates that all were hand in glove and shielding the corrupt officials.

Saroori also demanded immediate restoration of Kishtwar-Sinthan on war footing bases. He said that even the Traffic police authority believes that this National Highway is vulnerable to the threat to human life as many hanging stones and rocks continuously threatening the stability of the road and can invite an accident any time and added that the same required proper and immediate attention.

Later he addressed various public meetings in Inderwal Constituency and said all voters should rise above party lines at this juncture and join hands in order to defeat the divisive forces.  He asked people to come in large numbers and use their right to vote in favour of Azad on 17^th April.