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Key Points

Restoration work has begun on the severely damaged Kotranka-Khawas road in Rajouri district after persistent heavy rainfall caused landslides. The 32-kilometer road, completed just last year, has been completely disconnected for 15 days, creating widespread distress among residents. ADC Kotranka Dilmir Choudhary confirmed that permanent restoration will take approximately one month with government funds already sanctioned. Local residents report students unable to attend school and sick people struggling to reach medical facilities, forcing many to walk 15-20 kilometers on foot.

Key Points: Kotranka-Khawas Road Restoration Underway After Rajouri Landslides

  • 32km Kotranka-Khawas road severely damaged by heavy rainfall
  • 150-metre patch completely washed away disrupting connectivity
  • 7-8 houses damaged with one shifting 50 metres
  • Students unable to attend school due to road closure
  • Medical access severely impacted for local residents
  • Permanent restoration expected to take approximately one month
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Restoration work is underway for severely damaged Kotranka-Khawas road in J-K's Rajouri: ADC Kotranka

ADC Kotranka confirms restoration work on severely damaged 32km road. Permanent repairs expected in one month as landslides disrupt vital Rajouri district connectivity.

"Damage is there and restoration work is underway. It will take time for the permanent restoration to be completed - ADC Dilmir Choudhary"

Rajouri, September 16

The restoration work is underway for the severely damaged Kotranka-Khawas road due to persistent heavy rainfall and landslides in Rajouri district for the past two weeks, as per Additional Deputy Commissioner Kotranka (ADC) Dilmir Choudhary.

Speaking to ANI, ADC Kotranka said, "Damage is there and restoration work is underway. It will take time for the permanent restoration to be completed, but efforts are being made to improve the road situation. Our doctors are organising camps at different places and giving medicines."

Choudhary added that as the Kotranka-Khawas road is severely damaged, a 150-metre patch has washed away, and 7-8 houses are damaged so that a new road will be constructed.

He added that a short-term tender notice has been released and the allotment process is underway. "We have started the construction work from today. It will take approximately one month for the permanent restoration of the roads. The government has also sanctioned some funds for this," Choudhary added.

The recently constructed Kotranka-Khawas road, spanning 32 kilometres in Rajouri district, has suffered severe damage due to persistent heavy rainfall and landslides in the region for the past two weeks. The road, completed in the 2023-24 period, serves as a vital connection between the Kotranka sub-division and the Khawas tehsil.

However, for the past 15 days, the route has remained completely disconnected, creating widespread distress among residents. The disruption has had a significant impact on daily life. Students are unable to attend school, and transporting the sick to medical facilities has become extremely challenging, according to locals. Many villagers are being forced to walk 15 to 20 kilometres on foot to access essential services.

However, road reconstruction efforts have been paused due to ongoing land subsidence, which continues to pose a significant challenge.

"For the past 15 days, the road has been closed here. The road has been damaged due to floods. There are other links which are connected to this road. Due to this, the elderly and school children are facing numerous difficulties. No one from the administration has come to repair the road. We request that the road be restored," Jatinder Sharma, living in Badhal village in Rajouri district, told ANI on Tuesday.

In certain sections, land subsidence (sinking) has exacerbated the crisis, placing large areas at risk. At least seven houses have been severely impacted, with one two-story house shifting approximately 50 metres from its original site while remaining upright. Such incidents have caused widespread panic among residents.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
My relatives live in Khawas and they've been walking 20km for basic supplies. The administration should have acted faster given the medical emergencies. At least now work has started 🙏
A
Aman W
A road built just last year shouldn't suffer this much damage. Questions need to be asked about construction quality. Taxpayers' money deserves better durability.
S
Sarah B
The medical camps are a good initiative, but permanent road connectivity is crucial for healthcare access. Hope the new construction uses better engineering for hilly terrain.
V
Vikram M
Land subsidence moving houses 50 meters? That's terrifying! The administration must ensure proper geological assessment before rebuilding. Safety should be priority number one.
N
Nisha Z
This is the reality of hilly areas during monsoon. Instead of temporary fixes, we need permanent solutions with proper drainage and landslide protection. J&K roads need special attention.

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