We Feel Forgotten: Authkhora Rabitar Residents Plead for Basic Facilities as Makeshift Bridge Collapses and Transformer Fails Again
Irshad Bhat
Ganderbal, November 21 (PTK): As soon as Press Trust of Kashmir received a distress call from the residents of Authkhora Rabitar, the team immediately reached the village. What they witnessed reflected years of administrative neglect and long-standing grievances that continue to remain unresolved. Villagers told PTK that they feel “left as if we are not alive,” pointing towards the broken wooden bridge, the repeatedly failing transformer and the absence of even the most basic public facilities.
Residents said their transformer has never been repaired properly. Each time officials take it for repair, it functions only for a few hours before failing again. “We pay our electricity bills every month, but we hardly see any light in our homes,” a resident told PTK. Children struggle to study and families are forced to live in near darkness. The villagers are demanding a new transformer with proper capacity and reliable maintenance, describing electricity as a fundamental need.
Years ago, the villagers themselves built a temporary wooden bridge over the water channel to connect Authkhora Rabitar with nearby areas. It was meant only as a short-term solution. Over time, rain, harsh weather and continuous use have severely weakened the structure. After informing the administration multiple times, locals said they were repeatedly told that funds were not available a response they have been hearing for years. Recently, a young girl slipped from the damaged bridge and fell into the river. Fortunately, she survived, but residents fear that a more serious tragedy could occur if authorities do not intervene immediately.
The village also has government-owned land lying unused. Residents believe it should be utilised to establish a dispensary or primary health centre, as Authkhora Rabitar currently has no medical facilities of any kind. In emergencies, villagers are forced to travel long distances, often risking lives due to the lack of immediate care. Additionally, students must travel far for higher education, and many families say their children face difficulties especially during winter months. Some students have even been forced to discontinue their studies due to the challenging commute.
The residents of Authkhora Rabitar, Tehsil Tullmulla, Block Sherpathri, District Ganderbal have appealed strongly to the Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, local bodies and concerned government departments. They are requesting a new durable bridge, a high-capacity transformer, a dispensary on the available government land and a higher secondary school for the area. They also appealed to the administration to address these long-pending issues, saying they have suffered for far too long. “We built our own bridge and still suffer. When will the administration remember Authkhora Rabitar?” a villager asked.
Press Trust of Kashmir also urges the concerned departments to look into these issues at the earliest and take necessary steps to provide relief to the residents. The problems highlighted by the villagers require immediate attention and timely action from the administration. (PTK)
