Kullu: Not many among the neighbouring villages of Talada in Sainj Valley of Kullu are happy with the bridge that chief minister Virbhadra Singh inaugurated on Sunday.
Where they envy the Rs 1.53 crore bridge connecting that just connects one village, the neighbouring villages have turned around to accuse government of having neglected them about road connectivity for decades.
Tek Ram, a retired army man from Bahrain village told Hill Post, “even though our village is in close vicinity to Talada, but the motor able bridge that was inaugurated yesterday is of no benefit to us.
“Even after 69 years of the country having gained Independence, we still have to carry our critical patients on charpai’s (single beds) as much as 5 Km’s to reach a road before getting to a hospital to meet such medical emergencies,” said Tek Ram.
Yograj from Mahali village complained, “We are unable to understand why successive governments have shown apathy towards our villages as we too need basic amenities for which road connectivity is essential.”
Another villager Jagdish also from Mahali village added, “most villagers toil long hours to grow fruits, vegetables or grains but when it comes to marketing the farm produce, we suffer a lot of losses due to lack of road connectivity. Even after all possible efforts we can’t timely market our produce.The government should develop this remote valley in an impartial manner and should paid heed to our grievances too.”
Senior engineer SK Dhiman when contacted by Hill Post denied that there discrimination when plans for constructing the new bridge was drawn up.
He said, ”there is a plan to construct a road between Talada and Pannavi, but needs forest clearance from the ministry of forests and environment. The department is working to obtain this clearance. Once the proposed road is approved construction work would be started without any delay.’’
A theater artist, a script writer and a TV anchor, news is something that grips Renuka. She lives in Kullu.
