Locals protest for tunnel across Sadhna Top

Srinagar, Jan 8:  Following death of 11 passengers in an avalanche, the people of Karnah protested on Monday to urge the authorities to construct the proposed tunnel across Sadhna Top as soon as possible.
The protest was held at Pratap Park here.
According to locals, it is not for the first time that they have lost so many lives.
They said they have been witnessing these types of avalanches almost every year.
“Sadhna has become a point of death in winter’s for us, but every time we are being ignored by the government,” a protester said.
“We are facing serious problems for the last many decades, but nobody is paying any attention towards us. When any person from our area passes away from home, we have to wait for the body for, at least, 10 days because area remains cut off from the rest of the valley due to heavy snow,” said Shabir Ahmed, another protestor.
In absence of the tunnel, Shabir claimed, they suffer hike in the prices of essential commodities.
“We request the state and the centre to construct the tunnel at the earliest. If they don’t take action, we will come on roads,” he said.
Friday’s incident was not the first time when this type of avalanche hit some vehicle at Khoni nallah near Sandha Top.
The tunnel between Kupwara and Karnah has been just a proposal so far.
The 6-kilometer tunnel is proposed to be built from Nachain village to Chowkibal area is proposed to reduce 40 kilometre distance between the two points and perilous travel to half-an hour from Karnah to Chowkibal.
The tragic deaths that occur every year at the 12,000 feet altitude due to snow avalanches shock nearly 70,000 inhabitants of Karnah Tehsil.
“Accidents are frequent in summer and avalanches are deadly in winter, we have lost many precious lives this year. Only this tunnel can save our lives,” a protester said.