Protests erupt during PMGSY road inauguration in Reasi

Reasi, Jan 10: Protests broke out during the inauguration of a PMGSY road in Reasi district on Saturday after local residents alleged that the project was formally inaugurated despite being incomplete.

The 10.5-kilometre double-lane road, constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), was inaugurated by Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma in the presence of MLA Katra Baldev Raj Sharma and DDC Chairman Reasi Saraf Singh Naag.

However, soon after the inauguration, a group of locals raised slogans accusing the authorities of inaugurating an unfinished project.

The protesters claimed that several stretches of the 10.5-kilometre road are yet to be completed, while the portions that have been completed are of substandard quality.

They demanded that the remaining work be completed and the quality of construction improved before formally dedicating the road to the public.

Meanwhile, some individuals reportedly affiliated with the National Conference (NC) also objected to the absence of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary from the event.

They pointed out that the DyCM, who is the concerned minister in the Jammu and Kashmir government, was not present despite his name being mentioned on the inauguration plaque, raising eyebrows among the gathering.

The situation further escalated as workers of the BJP and NC raised slogans against each other, leading to a brief tense atmosphere at the venue.

However, timely intervention by MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, MLA Baldev Raj Sharma and other leaders helped pacify the situation and restore calm.

Addressing the gathering, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma assured that he would personally look into the matter and ascertain the reasons behind the delay in completion of the road work. He also gave assurance that necessary steps would be taken to address the grievances raised by the locals.

Regarding matter regarding absence of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma termed it just a co-incidence.

“His name is there on plate and he was scheduled to come here but he is stuck somewhere else and this is only reason for his absence. It is just a routine.” Sharma said.