Kharar: Kharar MLA, Kanwar Sandhu, celebrated the 69th Republic Day differently. He specially visited Bhaghindi village in his Constituency on January 26 to express solidarity with the villagers who are yet to experience any developmental works all these years.
“It is unfortunate that even after more than 70 years of the Country’s Independence, the village gets cut off during the monsoons as there are no bridges on the rivulets between Kassoli and Bhaghindi Villages. Children can’t go to school and the sick can’t visit hospitals during rains. At least five bridgeheads are required,” Sandhu told media persons.
Kharar MLA today wrote to the Punjab PWD Minister, Razia Sultana, to expedite construction of the bridges. “It is unfortunate that the earlier government did not bother about these villages. One hopes that you will ensure that the bridges are constructed before the next rainy season. One Bridge is also required near Massol Village, which was the site of an ancient civilisation. Perhaps, you should hoist the Tricolour on the next Republic Day in this area,” he wrote.
Sandhu said that various political leaders had only paid lip service to the area. Last year in May 2017, the MP from Anandpur Sahib, Prem Singh Chandumajra laid the foundation stone of a Bridge near Bhaghindi but never bothered to follow up. “With no Bridge at the site, the Foundation Stone appears to be mocking at the people of the area,” he said in his letter to the Minister. As an MLA of the area, I am deeply disturbed that villagers of the area are gradually shifting to the nearby state of Himachal Pradesh due to better roads and job opportunities. Half of Massol Village has shifted, he added.
The MLA has also demanded that the roads leading to Singha Devi and Jayanti Majri temples from Naya Gaon should be repaired at the earliest. The Annual Fairs at both these places take place in the last week of January, which are attended by Lakhs of people who are inconvenienced due to the very poor condition of the roads, which were last built in 2007. The road are non-existent. The MLA said that he would be writing to Mandi Board and PWD officials in this connection.