Villagers block road to Dhanaulti

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, May 12

Villagers blocked the Mussoorie-Dhanaulti road at Suva Kholi for several hours protesting against lack of road connectivity to more than a dozen villages under Chaijula Patti in Tehri district today.

The villagers demanded construction of already sanctioned Masrana-Kimoi, Kempty-Thatyud and Thatyud roads that are awaiting clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests since the past several decades.

The villagers alleged that due to the apathy of the government they were facing a lot of difficulties on a daily basis and had to tread several kilometers in case of any emergency leading to several deaths in the past.

“Schoolchildren from the affected villages are also forced to walk on foot to reach their schools situated in Mussoorie and many a times have encountered wild animals on their return to the village,” said Rekha, a villager.

The traffic blockade led to a long queue of jam on both sides of the road at Suva Kholi. A family from Chinyali Saud heading towards Dehradun for the treatment of their children was caught in the traffic jam and was given way after requesting the protesters. Tourists heading towards Dhanaulti were also caught in the jam.

Dhanaulti MLA Mahavir Singh Rangad leading the protest said the villagers were awaiting road construction from the past several decades but no action had been initiated so far. He warned that if the construction work was not started soon on the said roads, the villagers would launch a massive agitation.

Tehri ADM Parvesh Dandriyal along with PWD Executive Engineer NS Kholia reached the spot to pacify the villagers and said the projects were being delayed as some part of the roads fell under the sanctuary area and required clearance from the Wildlife Board.

The officials assured the protesters that the sanctioned road construction projects would be kept at the meeting of the State Wild Life Board for speedy clearance and then only the work would be started here.

Mussoorie MC president Manmohan Singh Mall said a delegation would meet Chief Minister Harish Rawat and demand the construction of the roads that were being delayed due to clearance from the Forest Department. The villagers on the assurance of resolving the matter in 15 days ended their blockade.