Waris Shah
Fed up of official promises, the water-starved people of Cheki-e-Wangund and adjoining areas of South Kashmir’s Qazigund belt today held a massive protest against Navayuga Engineering Company.
The water crisis has worsened particularly after the construction of the 8.5-km Banihal-Qazigund tunnel project which passes through these villages. As a result, local natural resources as well as springs that used to feed Cheki-e-Wangund and its adjoining areas have vanished.
To give vent to their frustration, the people of Cheki-e-Wangund and its adjoining areas held a strong protest against Navayuga Engineering Company. They blocked the Qazigund-Banihal tunnel tube before Tehsildar Dooru, DySP and SHO Qazigund appeared on the spot.
The work on the Rs 2,100-crore project was started in June 2011 by the Navayuga Engineering Company. Once completed, the tunnel would reduce the distance between Banihal in Jammu province and Qazigund in south Kashmir to 16 km from the present 35 km and bypass the Jawahar Tunnel and the Shaitan Nalla, which are prone to heavy snowfall and slippery conditions during winters.
The work on the project was delayed for several reasons in the last 10 years and many deadlines were missed due to the unexpected land condition inside the tunnel, alleged financial crisis in the construction company, and certain issues related to local landlords and company workers.
The tunnel is nearing completion and is expected to be opened for public use by March-end.
Speaking to The Kashmiriyat a local said, “Locals from at least four villages are stuck inside their homes as the private company constructing the tunnel has blocked the roads to four villages making locals suffer. They have taken our water and Electricity too. The company promised us various facilities, but they have deceived people in name of providing various facilities.”
Accusing the private company of fraud the locals alleged that the company had promised them borewells and other essential services, ut no promise has been delivered as of yet.
Before they stopped the work on the tunnel, the locals said that the water supply to at least four villages has been hit drastically.
The Sub Divisional Magistrate and other POlice officials reached the spot to pacify the protesting Locals.