Encroachments Narrow PMGSY Road in Bandipora’s Aragam-Chapran Stretch

Suhail Rather

BANDIPORA, JUNE 4: A road constructed under the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) from Aragam to the remote tribal village of Chapran in Bandipora district is facing severe encroachments, raising concerns over public access and future connectivity.

The 33-feet-wide road, for which land was acquired over a decade ago by the government, has reportedly been encroached upon by the very individuals who had earlier sold their land for the project. Locals allege that in several locations, houses have been built on the acquired land, while in other stretches it has been merged into private lawns and orchards.

Residents expressed frustration, saying that the road has narrowed to as little as 8 feet at certain points, hampering smooth traffic and posing safety risks. “The government must clearly demarcate the road land and retrieve it at the earliest. If not addressed now, the issue may snowball into a major bottleneck in the future,” said a local resident.

Executive Engineer PMGSY Bandipora, Tariq Ahmad, acknowledged the issue and said he had only recently taken charge in the district. “Now that it has been brought to our notice, we will carry out a proper verification. Action will be taken accordingly,” he assured.

The road serves as a crucial lifeline for the tribal population of Chapran, and residents hope swift intervention will preserve its intended utility.