BANDIPORA: The residents of Gujjar Pati Peer Baba in Benlipora, Bandipora, continue to face immense hardships due to the absence of road connectivity, clean drinking water, and other essential services. Despite raising their concerns for years, locals allege that the authorities have not taken any action.
Residents told Kashmir Times that the absence of roads and safe drinking water has created significant challenges, particularly for children and the elderly. They claim multiple appeals have been made, but the administration has remained unresponsive.
Home to about 6,020 residents, Benlipora, a quaint village, is located in the foothills of Nagmarg meadow, about 15 kilometers from the district headquarters at Bandipora. It is mostly inhabited by Gujjar community. Bordering it is the dense Ashtangoo forest, a part of the Khuihama Forest Range.
"Due to the lack of road connectivity, we face severe difficulties, especially the elderly and children. We have repeatedly requested the administration to build a road, but no one takes this matter seriously," said Jalaluddin Chechi, a local resident.
Women in the area are forced to walk nearly one and a half kilometres downhill every day to fetch drinking water. A resident shared how this daily struggle worsens during extreme weather conditions.
"We have to walk 1.5 km to reach the spring for water, and this has been our reality for years. During harsh weather, carrying water home becomes an even greater challenge because we lack a proper supply," a local woman said.
The absence of road connectivity has also made medical emergencies challenging to manage. Residents say that in the event of an illness, patients must be carried on foot for two kilometres to reach the main road before transportation to a hospital is possible.
"If someone falls ill, particularly an elderly person or a woman, we have no choice but to carry them two kilometres downhill—sometimes on our shoulders and sometimes supporting them on foot. Without a road, medical emergencies become life-threatening," said Bashir Ahmad Chahie, a resident.
Showkat Ahmad Chahie, another resident, shared his ordeal of carrying his ailing mother over long distances to seek medical attention.
"My mother fell ill seven months ago, and I had to carry her on my shoulders for two kilometres before hiring a Sumo to travel another 19 kilometres to the district hospital. We have been enduring these struggles for decades due to the lack of road connectivity and healthcare facilities," he said.
No Healthcare, No Higher Education
In this digital age, not a single graduate has emerged from this Gujjar community due to the absence of basic facilities. There is neither a healthcare centre nor an Anganwadi centre in the area.
"We have no graduate in our community because of the lack of educational and infrastructural support. Even today, we have no health centre or Anganwadi facility. We urge the government to take our issues seriously," said Mushtaq Ahmad Chahie.
Residents stress that the lack of infrastructure has severely impacted access to education, healthcare, and other essential services. Despite repeated requests, no concrete steps have been taken to address these challenges.
A group of villagers has urged officials to visit the area and witness the hardships first-hand.
"We have raised our concerns with higher authorities multiple times, but no one listens or visits our village. Through Kashmir Times, we again appeal to the administration to take immediate action," said Mohd Rafiq, another resident.
The residents have placed two primary demands before the administration: road connectivity and a reliable drinking water supply. They urge the relevant departments to take immediate action to resolve these longstanding issues.
The administration claims it is making strides in improving rural infrastructure, with a focus on enhancing connectivity in remote areas. Various developmental works under MGNREGA and PRI are currently underway, while additional projects under the District Capex and UT Capex plans are set to be implemented next year.
"Several projects under MGNREGA and PRI are either completed or in progress. Further connectivity projects under District Capex and UT Capex will be taken up next year to improve access in these far-flung areas," said Owais Bin Ahad, Block Development Officer, Aloosa.
Despite these assurances, the Gujjar community in Benlipora continues to struggle for basic necessities. Residents remain hopeful that authorities will take urgent steps to address their grievances and provide them with the infrastructure they desperately need.
(The news article has been updated with photos of the village Benlipora)
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