Locals blame abandoned tail work by RDD Department
GUND (GANDERBAL): Students at the Government Primary School Gohipora at Kullan, Sonamarg in the Gund area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district are facing serious health concerns and daily nuisance due to rising dust levels in the school playground, which locals allege is a direct result of incomplete tail work abandoned midway by a contractor.
The Rural Development Department (RDD) had allotted the tail work project intended to level and stabilise the playground surface to a contractor under developmental funds.
However, residents claim the contractor halted the work abruptly, leaving the surface loose and unprotected. Since then, even mild winds have been generating thick clouds of dust, severely affecting students’ well-being and classroom environment.
Teachers and parents have expressed deep concern over the health impacts. “Our children return home coughing and complaining of eye irritation. Dust enters classrooms and makes it difficult to breathe during school hours,” said a parent of a student enrolled at the school.
According to school staff, daily activities, including morning assemblies and outdoor games, have come to a standstill. “This has not only become a health hazard but is also disrupting the academic focus and morale of students,” said a teacher who wished to remain anonymous.
Parents allege that the contractor, after initiating the work, abandoned the site without proper finishing or surfacing of the ground, leaving behind a loose, dusty terrain. “This is negligence. We request the administration to take immediate action and resume the work to safeguard the health of our children,” said a resident
Residents have urged the authorities to not only take disciplinary action against the defaulting contractor but also to ensure that the remaining work is completed at the earliest to mitigate the health risks posed to young students.
When contacted, Block Development Officer (BDO) Gund, Sheikh Arif, acknowledged the issue and assured that the department is taking the matter seriously. “We will look into the matter and take strict action against the contractor if he is found wrong of abandoning the work midway, he said.