DODA, Jul 31: Residents of Bhata, Panjan, Chanderbhatan, Krallan, Gorkhan, Kawkhila, Motla Dessa and adjoining villages have appealed to the District Administration, Doda, to ensure the immediate resumption of the Panjan–Bhata Dessa motorable road project, alleging that the work has remained stalled for nearly a year.
In a joint appeal, the residents said the road was sanctioned under the GRF scheme through the efforts of Doda West MLA Shakti Raj Parihar but construction has come to a standstill above Batola. They claimed that despite repeated assurances, little progress has been made and only around 10 metres of road has been constructed during the past three months.
According to the residents, the delay has severely affected more than 2,000 people living in the remote villages, who continue to face hardships due to the absence of proper road connectivity. They said the lack of a motorable road has adversely impacted access to education, healthcare, emergency services, transportation and other essential facilities.
The residents urged the district administration to direct the concerned department and the executing contractor to restart the construction work without further delay and ensure its completion within a fixed timeframe.
Stressing that road connectivity is a basic necessity, they expressed hope that the administration would treat the matter on priority and take prompt steps to provide relief to the affected population and accelerate the development of the region.