Sunderbani: Residents of the Sunderbani and Nowshera areas in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, have raised alarms over the extensive damage caused by overloaded vehicles used by brick kilns and stone crushers. Despite the central government’s investment in building high-quality highways and link roads aimed at public welfare, these vehicles are reportedly causing severe wear and tear on roads, posing a risk to public safety and infrastructure. Prominent local figures, including Naresh Kumar, Dev Raj Sharma, Vijay Kumar, Anil Sharma, Mustak Ahmed, Mohd. Farooq, and Adv. Rajinder Kumar, have voiced their concerns about the situation. They pointed out that the roads, including the crucial Nonial link road which passes through the village of the Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Chowdhary, are suffering significant damage due to heavy, overloaded vehicles like dumpers and tractor trolleys. These vehicles are described as operating without registration numbers and often run on the roads around the clock, undeterred by police oversight. The residents have also highlighted that these overloaded vehicles contribute to issues such as dust and cracks forming in nearby homes, creating uncomfortable living conditions for those residing along these roads. Moreover, the problem is compounded by illegal mining activities on riverbeds and agricultural land, exacerbating environmental and structural damage.
The community has questioned the silence of district administration, suggesting that the lack of action is allowing these activities to continue unchecked. If authorities fail to address their grievances, the residents have indicated plans to escalate the matter by approaching the Deputy Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir for intervention.
