Ramban: Ashok Kumar, Former MLA from Ramban, has expressed serious concerns over the perpetual deterioration of the slopes in Sub-Himalayas or Jammu Himalayas along the National Highway-44 due to impromptu and unconventional methods used in the construction of Four lane Project on National Highway-44 in the past. In a statement issued here, Ashok said: “ In the process of construction of Four lane Project on NH-44 in the last 7 or 8 years which is located on the Sub-Himalayas between Udhampur to Banihal, the cumulative Impact of negligence, Unsustainability and Corruption had triggered man-made land slides, Rapid soil erosion and severely damaged the already Fragile Mountain Ecology. In addition, several people have lost their valuable lives and houses due to this menace without their’s fault.
Ashok further stated that the dust of clouds have engulfed the entire region from Udhampur to Banihal and hundred of small towns and villages along are badly impacted. The human lives here are in Great danger and an immediate Regulation of all activities is urgently needed for the welfare of not only humans but also the Sub-Himalaya Ecology. A green cover is essential on adjacent sides of the slopes.
Ashok has strongly urged upon the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change and Ministry of Road and Transport to immediately take concrete measures in this regard as the local people in the region are badly suffering. He also urged upon the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to direct the concern authorities to check the traffic for smooth movement of passengers, ambulances and Defence personnel.
