On sit-in for 6 days, Jhajjar village residents demand repair of road

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Jhajjar, February 8

The poor condition of the 14-km road from Sasrauli Chowk to Kaliawas village in the Matanhel area here has forced residents of Birohar and nearby villages to stage a dharna to highlight their plight.

‘Proposal sent for reconstruction’

Public Works Department Executive Engineer Sumit Kumar said a proposal to reconstruct the road had been sent to the higher authorities for approval. “We will start the repair work when the proposal is approved,” he added.

Residents have been sitting on an indefinite dharna at the entrance to Birohar village, demanding the reconstruction of the road at the earliest as it has been leading to mishaps. The protest has now entered its sixth day.

“The road has been in a poor condition for the past several years. Deep potholes have developed on it, leading to accidents. The situation becomes worse at night as commuters fail to notice potholes due to darkness. Last night, a car hit a tree along the road in the adjoining Maliawas village when the driver lost control over the wheel due to potholes,” said Rajal Naugawan, a protester.

He added that this was the main road to reach Charkhi Dadri and its poor condition had been impacting the residents of several nearby villages, who used this road daily for commuting.

A large number of heavy vehicles also ply on the road as there are some power plants and cement factories in Jharli and nearby villages, Rajal said.

Surender of Birohar village said it was not easy to drive any vehicle on the road due to potholes. “It takes approximately three times the usual time to reach Charkhi Dadri. We have raised the issue before the district authorities several times but to no avail. The lethargic attitude of the authorities towards the road has forced us to sit on dharna,” he said.

“The situation worsens in the rainy season, when potholes get filled with water and commuters fail to notice these. A large number of people use the road daily and the authorities should repair it without delay,” he said.

Jai Bhagwan, another protester, said they would continue the dharna until the construction of the road. “We are also demanding subdivision status for Matanhel and the starting of Sainik School in Matanhel village,” he added.

Sumit Kumar, Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, said a proposal to reconstruct the road had already been sent to the higher authorities for approval. “We will start the repair work when the proposal is approved,” he added.