Locals Warn of Protest if Administration Fails to Act Swiftly
Altaf Hussain
MENDHAR, MAY 22, 2025: Isran Khan, a respected social worker and representative voice of village Arii Sarhoti, tehsil Mendhar, has called upon the District Administration of Poonch and the Public Works Department (PWD), R&B Mendhar, to take urgent and immediate steps toward the repair of the main road leading to and from the village.
Speaking on behalf of the local population, Isran Khan stated that the road, which serves as a lifeline for thousands of residents, has been in a state of neglect for several years. The condition has worsened to such an extent that even short daily commutes have become physically exhausting and mentally distressing.
“This is no longer a small inconvenience,” said Isran Khan. “This road is crucial for students, patients, working professionals, and farmers alike. What used to be a 15-minute journey now takes over an hour. This is unacceptable in any civilized society.”
The deteriorated road is not only causing significant delays in travel, but also posing serious safety risks, especially during the monsoon season, when potholes fill with water and make the road almost impassable.
Villagers say that patients requiring emergency medical attention often face life-threatening delays, while students struggle to reach schools on time, and workers are unable to commute efficiently. Additionally, essential services such as ambulances, delivery vehicles, and even local buses are increasingly avoiding the route due to its poor condition.
Khan emphasized that repeated verbal complaints, community petitions, and written appeals have yielded no meaningful response from the concerned authorities so far.
“We demand that the XEN of PWD R&B Mendhar personally visit the area, assess the damage, and begin repair work without any further delay. The situation is critical and worsening every day,” he added.
In a strong message to the administration, residents have warned of peaceful protests if the issue continues to be ignored. The public believes that this form of civil expression may be the only way to make authorities recognize the urgency of the matter.
“We do not wish to create unrest, but the people are prepared to come out on the streets if that’s what it takes to restore their basic right to infrastructure,” Khan said.
Residents are hopeful that the district administration, especially the Deputy Commissioner and the Tehsildar Mendhar, will take swift action to prioritize this long-standing issue. They urge the government to consider rural infrastructure development not as an afterthought, but as an essential part of inclusive governance.
The demand is simple but urgent — immediate commencement of road repair works, proper blacktopping, drainage construction, and long-term maintenance plans to ensure that the problem does not resurface after every monsoon or season.
