Incomplete road even after 20 years: Increasing budget, decreasing expectations

Mahesh Dhoundiyal - Delhi

The status of Uttarakhand's important road construction project has been disappointing so far. The Patiachaura Belnaikna Bamanchauna Batula Naila Khurdi Kaskhet Rikhadi Pali motor road, proposed since 2005, which is extremely important for regional development and traffic facilities, is still incomplete. A budget of ?1 crore was earlier set for the construction of this road, but after 20 years it has now increased to more than ?6 crore.

This road was to be built to connect the Patiachaura Belnaikna Bamanchauna Batula Naila Khurdi Kaskhet Rikhadi Pali motor road, so that the people there could get better traffic facilities. However, due to slow pace of construction and administrative negligence, it could not be completed on time.

This incomplete road is especially affecting the elderly, who have to pass through temporary and risky paths. Also, access to health services and daily needs is also being affected. School going children and working people have to travel extra distance. Due to the incomplete road, when they take the patient to the hospital, they have to face a lot of difficulties on the way, which wastes their time and delays treatment.

In July 2024 this year, these people also met Minister of State for Tourism Ajay Tamta. They also put forward their problems regarding the construction of this road in front of him and appealed to make arrangements, but no concrete steps have been taken so far.

Even today people have to travel up to 4 kilometers to reach the bus stop, which has become a big crisis for them

Local residents are upset due to this incomplete project. The construction of this road would have improved children's education, rural economy, and access to health services. The resentment among the people is increasing due to the project being incomplete for 20 years.