Umaisar Gull Ganie
Kulgam, Oct 20: For the first time since Independence in 1947, the remote Seerpora village in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district has got road connectivity under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), bringing immense joy and relief to the residents.
The work on the project, estimated to cost Rs 4.05 crore, has begun.
Locals celebrated the historic moment in a traditional way—beating drums and dancing to folk tunes to express their happiness. Residents, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), called the new road a “true blessing” after decades of isolation and neglect.
A local resident, Ghulam Mohammad Hajam, said, “Since 1947, this road had never been constructed. Our mothers and sisters used to face a lot of difficulties due to the lack of road connectivity. We hope that in the future, the authorities will continue to listen to the concerns of poor people like us and take care of us. We had been suffering a lot, especially our mothers and sisters, but today we have been freed from that hardship.”
Another local, Abdul Rashid Gorsi, said, “This road has been constructed here for the first time. Earlier, there was not even a proper path to walk on. It is a matter of great happiness for us that this road now extends up to Lankhul. We are very thankful to Sakeena Itoo for making this possible and we are also grateful to the government for approving this project. This area is hilly and receives heavy snowfall, so having a proper road here is truly a blessing.”
Syed Hilal Ahmad, Executive Engineer PMGSY Kulgam, said Seerpora has been included under PMGSY Phase-IV. The completion time for this project is about one and a half years. Under this phase, habitations with a population of less than 500 people will be connected.
“In Kulgam district, 13 projects have been sanctioned under PMGSY-IV. Out of these, seven projects are in Damhal Hanjipora area. Today, we have laid the foundation stone for three of these projects,” he added.
About Seerpora road, he said, “This is very tough terrain to build a road in. When someone falls ill, when children go to school, or when people have to take their produce to the market, it takes a lot of time and effort. We are trying to complete this road before the one-and-a-half-year deadline. Once completed, it will be an all-weather road. The estimated cost of this road is around Rs 4 crore. This is the first time since 1947 that this village is getting road connectivity. Previously, there was absolutely no road access. So, after Independence, this is the first time they are getting a proper paved road.”
He further stated that under PMGSY Phase I–III, 93 roads have been constructed in Kulgam district. “Now, under PMGSY-IV, 13 new projects have been approved. Another phase is also coming up, for which 28 more project proposals have already been submitted and are expected to be sanctioned soon.”
“People are very happy. Road connectivity is the first step toward development. Once a road is built, electricity, water supply, health facilities, and education all follow. Development always begins with roads,” the officer added—(KNO)
