Pulwama: Residents in Ratnipora village of Pulwama district are complaining that a former lumberdar (village head) has blocked a piece of land on Lar stream that has been allocated for the construction of a Ghat.
The Ghat, already tendered by the Rural Development Department, is to be built along the Lar stream Bank for providing easier access to the waterbody for locals and those in need of washing.
Locals said the Ghat was allocated by the RDD after the residents raised the demand in Gram Sabha as it is located near the Main bus stand and Jinazgah for facilitating people for washing. However, the former lumberdar has illegally blocked the piece of land by putting a damaged tin shed at the site.
Locals said the revenue department, flood control and RDD in Kakpora tehsil have failed in their duty to remove the blockage and facilitate construction of the much-needed Ghat, bringing the project to a standstill.
Locals said this is the second year when RDD allocated funds for Ghat when the former lumberdar blocked the site.
Locals are facing difficulties due to the absence of a proper Ghat, and are urging District Magistrate and Tehsildar Kakpora to intervene and help in construction of this project.