Jammu, 26 April (H.S.): Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Ghulam Ali Khatana has made a scathing attack on the Omar Abdullah-led Government, accusing it of executing development works in an unplanned and hazardous manner that is causing severe distress to residents in parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Citing an under-construction road project under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Kishtwar district’s Bujwan tehsil, Khatana stated that the alignment of the road between PKN and Mouri villages was designed without proper ground assessment. Lambasting the PMGSY authorities, he noted, “The current alignment cuts through sensitive locations, including two mosques and four graveyards, which are likely to be affected if construction proceeds in the same manner.”

Highlighting severe safety concerns, the BJP MP pointed out that unscientific hill cutting for the road has already led to the rolling down of heavy boulders, destroying a vital footbridge in the area. The damaged bridge has disrupted daily movement, disproportionately impacting school-going children and local residents.

Khatana further warned that more than 70 families are currently at risk, as their homes fall directly within the construction zone. He emphasized that uncontrolled blasting and cutting in the hilly terrain increase the likelihood of unpredictable rockslides, posing a direct threat to lives, property, and livestock.

He alleged that the UT administration led by Omar Abdullah lacks the vision to effectively utilize available resources. Khatana asserted that such poorly planned projects expose the intellectual bankruptcy of the Omar Government. He also took a swipe at the functioning of the Public Works Department-headed by Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary-alleging that the Deputy CM’s frequent inspections of ongoing projects are mere optics and fail to address the actual, hazardous realities at project sites.

Calling for immediate intervention, Khatana urged Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha to direct the concerned authorities to realign the road to prevent further damage. He also advised the Chief Minister to ensure that infrastructure projects are thoroughly planned to genuinely benefit people on the ground.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar