For over three years, the Tangmarg Khaipora road, a critical lifeline for more than 100 villages in Baramulla district, has been left in a state of utter disrepair. Riddled with potholes, blockages, and a crumbling surface, this roadonce a vital link for rural communitieshas become a symbol of neglect and administrative failure. The residents of Tangmarg, Khaipora, Hardu Madam, and surrounding villages have endured immense suffering due to the inaction of the Tangmarg administration, the District Development Council (DDC) Chairperson of Baramulla, the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) authorities. As the people of Tangmarg cry out for justice, they are left questioning: Are we not citizens of Jammu and Kashmir? Are we not citizens of India? Why are our pleas for basic infrastructure ignored? A Road in Ruins- A Community in Agony the Tangmarg Khaipora road serves as the backbone of connectivity for over 100 villages, enabling access to healthcare, education, markets, and emergency services. However, for the past three years, it has been rendered nearly impassable, with large sections damaged or completely blocked. The road’s deplorable condition has created a humanitarian crisis, with devastating consequences for the people who depend on it. Residents report that vehicles, including ambulances carrying critical patients, cannot navigate the road, leading to delays that have resulted in tragic, irreparable losses. Families have lost loved ones due to the inability to reach hospitals in time. Farmers struggle to transport their produce, strangling local economies. Students are cut off from schools, and daily commuters face hours of hardship. The road’s condition worsens during monsoons and winters, turning it into a treacherous, muddy path that isolates entire communities. The people of Tangmarg feel abandoned their tax contributions seemingly irrelevant to those in power. And when it comes to Administrative Apathy , Tangmarg Administration and DDC Chairperson Baramulla despite repeated appeals to the Tangmarg administration and the DDC Chairperson of Baramulla, the residents’ grievances have been met with indifference. The DDC Chairperson, responsible for overseeing developmental projects in the district, has failed to prioritize the Tangmarg Khaipora road, even as other initiatives receive attention. For instance, review meetings chaired by the Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla, such as those focusing on winter preparedness or tourism in Gulmarg, have overshadowed the urgent need for road repairs. When residents have raised the issue with higher authorities, they have been met with political posturing and empty promises. The Tangmarg administration has deflected responsibility, leaving villagers trapped in a cycle of bureaucratic inaction. No timeline for repairs has been provided, and no official has taken ownership of this critical issue. The lack of accountability is stark, as the administration continues to sideline the needs of rural communities. PMGSY and R&B Department, A Betrayal of Duty. The Tangmarg Khaipora road falls under the purview of the PMGSY, a central government scheme designed to provide all-weather road connectivity to rural areas. PMGSY guidelines mandate that roads be maintained with a five-year defect liability period, during which contractors are responsible for repairs.
“The suffering of over 100 villages cannot be ignored any longer. The people of Tangmarg deserve a road that connects them to opportunities, healthcare, and a better futurenot a death trap that isolates them from the world. The Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, and Government of India must act decisively to address this crisis. The Tangmarg Khaipora road is not just a black mark on the Tangmarg administration and DDC Chairperson Baramulla it is a test of whether the voices of rural India will be heard. The time for excuses is over. The people of Tangmarg demand action now.”
Yet, the road’s condition suggests a complete lapse in oversight and accountability. When residents approached PMGSY officials, their complaints were dismissed, and no action was taken. Similarly, the R&B Department, tasked with road maintenance in Jammu and Kashmir, has shown gross negligence. Despite funds being allocated for road macadamization under schemes like the Capex budget’s “Cities & Towns” program, the Tangmarg Khaipora road has been consistently overlooked. The department’s inaction has left villagers questioning why their region is sidelined while other projects are prioritized. A Humanitarian Crisis Ignored, the consequences of the road’s neglect are profound and heartbreaking. The inability to transport critical patients has led to preventable deaths, a tragedy that weighs heavily on the community. Emergency services are hampered, leaving villages isolated during crises. The road’s condition also stifles economic activity, as farmers and traders struggle to access markets, and small businesses suffer from reduced connectivity. The residents’ frustration is compounded by the silence of both the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Government of India. They feel marginalized, their voices drowned out by political games and administrative apathy. The question looms large: “Are we not paying taxes? Are we not entitled to the same rights as other citizens?” The sense of abandonment is profound, as the people of Tangmarg are left to fend for themselves. A Call to Action Urgent Intervention is needed; the people of Tangmarg, Khaipora, Hardu Madam, and adjoining villages are now appealing directly to the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir for immediate intervention. They demand that the Tangmarg Khaipora road be macadamized and maintained without further delay. This is not just a demand for infrastructure it is a plea for dignity, safety, and the right to live without unnecessary hardship. The R&B Department and PMGSY must inspect the road and provide a transparent timeline for repairs. The government must prioritize funding for the road under PMGSY or other schemes to restore it to a functional state. Contractors and officials responsible for the road’s neglect must face consequences, and mechanisms must be established to prevent future lapses.The local government, DDC Chairperson and Tangmarg administration must hold public consultations to address grievances and rebuild trust. The Tangmarg Khaipora road is more than a stretch of broken asphaltit is a glaring symbol of systemic failure, administrative neglect, and broken promises. The suffering of over 100 villages cannot be ignored any longer. The people of Tangmarg deserve a road that connects them to opportunities, healthcare, and a better futurenot a death trap that isolates them from the world. The Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, and Government of India must act decisively to address this crisis. The Tangmarg Khaipora road is not just a black mark on the Tangmarg administration and DDC Chairperson Baramulla it is a test of whether the voices of rural India will be heard. The time for excuses is over. The people of Tangmarg demand action now.
(The author a lawyer by profession is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Sajad Paul
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