People in Bandipora area of Indian illegally occu-pied Jammu and Kashmir have been awaiting the completion of a health centre, launched some eight years ago, due to prolonged delays in execution. This indicates the Indian government’s apathy towards issues confronting the locals in the territory.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Zurimanz village, predominantly inhabited by fishermen, is disappointed over the lack of progress. The executing agency, Housing Board, is being blamed for its apathetic approach towards the community.
The project, initiated in 2016 after demolishing an old sub-centre building, has faced extensive delays due to funding issues. Despite the erection of a concrete structure, the work has been abandoned for years, leaving villagers with inadequate healthcare facilities.
Local fisherman Bashir Ahmad lamented, “The current one-room building barely qualifies as a sub-centre due to the lack of doctors and basic medical equipment.”
The villagers have repeatedly approached the authorities, including the local MLA and the district administration, but to no avail. They have also staged protests and submitted memorandums, but their demands have fallen on deaf ears.
The lack of a proper health centre has had a severe impact on the health of the villagers, especially women and children. Pregnant women have to travel long distances to access basic healthcare services, and there have been instances of newborns dying due to lack of proper medical care.—KMS
