Tasaduq Hussain
Handwara, June 30 (KNO): Even after sanctioning a multicore project to construct a road for the mesmerizing Bangus valley in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the Union Territory administration has miserably failed to complete the construction work.
The government has failed to bring Bangus valley on the tourism map as it is craving for attention from several years now, official sources said here.
Sources said the road leading to it is still incomplete since the work was started over a year ago. “This place can be the most attractive tourist destination but it is craving for the attention due to inaction from those at the helm of affairs.”
Sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the work on Handwara-Bangus road was stopped due to lack of funds and interference of locals who refused to give their land without compensation which hit the project.
They said that many organizations were formed who claimed to have pushed the administration for the construction work and to develop Bangus valley as a tourist destination, believing that if the infrastructure is provided it has the potential to attract a huge number of non-local tourists annually.
Atif Ahmad, a local resident of Mawer village in Handwara said that after government sanctioned funds for the Bangus valley project locals were happy, however, the joy was short-lived as the authorities left the multi-crore project mid-way.
He said that developing Bangus valley would have not only brought it on the tourism map but it would have created livelihood options for the unemployed youth of the area as well.
He said Bangus Development authority was formed to press for the early completion of construction work and look after other affairs.
When contacted, director tourism Kashmir, Nisar Ahmad said that it was not his domain as all the developmental authorities are well known of the affairs like we have in other parts of the valley.
However, Bangus developmental authority couldn’t be contacted for comments as some officials claimed that there is no one to look after the affairs of the development authority.
Meanwhile, additional deputy commissioner Handwara, Nazir Ahmad told KNO that the construction work is underway and they have recently received funds. “I want the road to be completed in my tenure only as I have invested my time for allocation of funds and I will make sure the road is completed at an earliest,” he said—(KNO)
