JAMMU, Jul 7: Renowned human rights activist Om Parkash Khajuria has strongly criticized the government and the concerned agencies for what he termed as a “blatant discrimination” between rural and urban areas in the development of road infrastructure, saying such an approach is contrary to the vision of a developed India.
Expressing serious concern over the deplorable condition of the R.S. Pura–Indira Nagar–Miran Sahib road, Khajuria said the stretch has become a serious threat to the lives of thousands of daily commuters, particularly during the ongoing monsoon season, when rainwater fills deep potholes, making them virtually invisible and significantly increasing the risk of fatal road accidents.
He remarked that one does not have to travel far to witness the disparity in development. “The moment one crosses Indira Nagar, which falls under the Municipal limits, the condition of the roads changes dramatically. Smooth, well-maintained roads suddenly replace the broken and pothole-ridden stretches of the rural belt. This glaring contrast clearly exposes the discriminatory attitude towards villages,” he said.
Khajuria asserted that such unequal development undermines the country’s aspirations of becoming a developed nation and a ‘Vishwaguru’. He said the government must remember that the real India lives in its villages, where a large section of the population resides and actively participates in the democratic process by voting in large numbers to elect governments.”If villages continue to be neglected while urban areas receive priority in infrastructure development, the vision of inclusive growth will remain incomplete,” he observed.
The human rights activist said residents and daily commuters have repeatedly raised their voices over the dangerous condition of the R.S. Pura–Miran Sahib road, but the authorities have failed to take effective remedial measures. The road, riddled with deep potholes and damaged patches, has become increasingly hazardous, particularly for two-wheeler riders, school children, elderly citizens and emergency vehicles.
He warned that with the onset of the monsoon, waterlogging conceals deep craters on the road, drastically reducing visibility and increasing the chances of skidding, vehicle damage and serious collisions. He added that every passing day without repairs puts innocent lives at risk.Khajuria urged the Public Works Department (PWD) and the district administration to immediately undertake comprehensive and durable repairs instead of temporary patchwork, ensuring that the road remains safe and motorable throughout the year.
Calling for equitable development, he said infrastructure planning should not be confined to municipal areas alone. “Development must reach every village with the same commitment and urgency. Only then can the dream of a truly developed and inclusive India become a reality,” Khajuria added.