No roads, villagers forced to trek miles to reach Samba

Vishal Jasrotia

Samba, June 18

The Hardoleyan village of Samba, which was carved out of Udhampur district, lacks basic infrastructure and road connectivity. The residents are forced to trek miles on foot to reach Samba.

The village is located about 25 km north-east of Samba. The residents have to scale several hills and brave rough jungle terrain for over four hours to reach the nearest town. In 2007, the authorities concerned had included Hardoleyan in the Majalta block of Udhampur district, without taking consent of local people. It was again repatriated in Samba in 2015. Disconnected from Samba, nearly 100 families, including 500 residents of Hardoleyan village, are suffering in the absence of civic amenities and road connectivity.

“We have to face several problems on a daily basis even six decades after independence. We have to take a 50-km longer route via Majalta, Udhampur, to reach Samba for our daily chores. Even children have to walk miles on foot to reach schools,” said Rattan Singh, a panchayat member. “We are facing the apathy of the government and administration, which have failed to provide even basic amenities like road connectivity. The village is far from developed and has poor education, medical and communication networks. Being a far-flung area, government employees refrain from working here and get transferred to other accessible areas,” he said. “Medical facilities are also non-existent and pregnant women and ailing people have to travel several kilometers to reach the nearest primary health centre in case of any emergency,” said Uttam Chand Sharma of the village.

“The issue has been recently brought to my notice. I have directed officials of the Rural Development Department to conduct a survey and submit a status report. We will try to construct a tractor road to provide connectivity to Samba,” said Rajinder Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Samba.