Jammu, Apr 19: Leader of Opposition in J&K Legislative Assembly and BJP MLA from Padder-Nagseni, Sunil Kumar Sharma has stated that the sliding zone along Kishtwar-Padder road will need permanent solution and temporary measures will offer no respite to the population in the vulnerable stretch.
He stated this while responding to media queries after inspecting landslide prone areas at Singrah nallah, Patharnaki along Kihtwar-Padder road, a portion of which had suffered damage due to sinking phenomenon.
“This area, comprising Galhar, Chorpadhi, Patharnaki, is slide prone. A couple of years back, Galhar and Chorpadhi areas were affected. This time Patharnaki area is facing this vulnerability. Even the area behind is a sliding zone. The people there too have shared the same grouse,” Sharma said.
He informed that the administration had made arrangements for the families, numbering 10-12 in this vulnerable stretch (Pathanaki), as a precaution to shift them to tents. “If need arises, they will be shifted to some government building. For the time being, the administration has been directed to provide them with essentials required in tents. But all these are temporary measures,” the LoP said.
“However, during the past one or two years, the area has witnessed frequent sliding incidents. Though temporarily, the problem was managed so that the transport could not get affected and the area did not get disconnected. On the other side of Patharnaki, falls the belt of Padder area. Besides the Padder area, the people of Paangi area also use the same stretch. However, the way the sliding threat persists, I don’t think the temporary measures will offer any solution and will be a reprieve to the population,” he pointed out.
“On this account, I spoke to the district administration. I had requested the Deputy Commissioner to inspect the spot. He has visited the area. I too have visited the stretch. To find a permanent solution, we will involve all the concerned organisations and stakeholders, including GREF. A meeting has been scheduled to find a permanent solution. To implement it (permanent solution), I think, the traffic will have to be stopped so that they (GREF) personnel can work in an unhindered manner so that no short-term measure needs to be taken,” the LoP said.
Earlier the officers stated that no damage had occurred to the houses along the road and in the vicinity though a portion of road had caved in.
