Sahil Manzoor Bhatti
Road connectivity is one of the most essential requirements of modern life. It plays a significant role in the development of any society. Roads are not merely a means of transportation; they connect people with educational institutions, healthcare facilities, markets and other basic services. In today’s world, many areas have witnessed remarkable improvements in road infrastructure, with old and damaged roads being transformed into smooth, black-topped roads. However, for millions of people living in remote areas, having a proper road is still a dream.
Some people have enjoyed the benefits of road connectivity since childhood, while others have had to struggle for years to experience this basic facility. Unfortunately, I belong to the second category. For me, a road is not simply a piece of infrastructure; it is a symbol of hope, patience, struggle and development.
The residents of Bhatti Mohallah, Raiyar-Ich, Khansahib, had been waiting for proper road connectivity for many years. The road connecting the High School to Bhatti Mohallah remained incomplete because of a dispute over land. Some landowners were unwilling to provide their land for public use, and this became a major obstacle to the construction of the road. As a result, the residents had to face considerable difficulties for almost a decade.
Life without proper road connectivity is extremely challenging, particularly in remote villages. During the rainy season, muddy and damaged paths make movement difficult. The situation becomes even worse during the harsh winter months when snowfall, freezing temperatures and slippery surfaces create additional problems. Students, elderly people, patients and daily commuters are among those who suffer the most.
For the residents of Bhatti Mohallah, these difficulties were not temporary; they had become part of everyday life. People had to manage their daily activities under difficult circumstances. Reaching schools, healthcare facilities and markets was a constant challenge. Despite these hardships, the residents continued to hope that one day their dream of having a proper road would become a reality.
After nearly ten years of waiting and struggle, the dream has finally started taking shape. The R&B Department, Budgam, has recently taken up the upgradation of the road, bringing happiness and relief to the local population. I cannot express in words how delighted I feel when I see my neighbours, relatives and fellow villagers enjoying this long-awaited facility.
For me, this development is much more than the construction or upgradation of a road. It represents the end of a long period of inconvenience and the beginning of new possibilities for the people of our locality. It is a moment of satisfaction to see people enjoying a facility that they had been demanding for years.
However, the journey has not been without difficulties. Certain issues relating to land ownership and road alignment have continued to create challenges, particularly near the main entry point. There have also been concerns regarding the position of Hotel Mars at Raiyar-Ich, which, according to local residents, has affected the available road width. Such matters require proper attention from the concerned authorities so that public infrastructure can serve the interests of everyone.
Development should never become a source of unnecessary conflict among people. We must understand that public roads are meant to benefit the entire community. Personal interests should not become an obstacle to facilities that are essential for the common good. Humanity teaches us to understand the difficulties of others and extend cooperation whenever possible.
Unfortunately, we sometimes forget our social responsibilities. Instead of becoming supportive of one another, we allow personal disputes and differences to create barriers to collective progress. We should remember that today’s inconvenience for one family may become tomorrow’s difficulty for another. Therefore, mutual understanding, sympathy and cooperation are necessary for building a healthy society.
I strongly believe that road connectivity is not a luxury but a basic necessity. It creates opportunities for education, employment, healthcare and economic development. A well-maintained road can change the lives of people living in remote areas. It can also encourage tourism, support local businesses and make transportation safer and more convenient.
Although the recent initiative by the R&B Department is appreciable, our demand is not yet complete. We sincerely request the Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), R&B Khansahib, to kindly take up the remaining road connectivity from High School Raiyar-Ich to TRC Tangnar via Bhatti Mohallah under an appropriate development plan. We also request the department to pay attention to the vulnerable entry point, construct the required culvert and provide protection bunds at vulnerable locations to prevent soil erosion and protect the road.
Our intention is not to criticise anyone but to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards the genuine difficulties faced by the residents. We want development that benefits every household without discrimination.
I am writing this article because the completion of this long-awaited road has filled my heart with happiness and satisfaction. When I see my neighbours, relatives and fellow villagers enjoying this facility, I feel that our years of waiting have finally brought some positive results.
A road may appear to be an ordinary thing for those who have always had one, but for people who have struggled for decades, it can be nothing less than a dream come true.
Let us understand one simple truth: development becomes meaningful only when it reaches the people who need it the most. A road connects not only places but also hearts, opportunities and hopes.
(The author is a freelancer and can be reached at [email protected])
