“Political Battle on Mashedi Road: What’s the Truth, What’s the Conspiracy?”
The much-anticipated Mashedi Road, connecting Billawar to Bani in Jammu and Kashmir, is once again in the headlines—but this time not for development, but for politics.
When work finally began on this road, which had been neglected for nearly 12 years, hopes were raised that the area would change. According to locals, the road had been in a bad state for a long time—potholes, broken sections, and dangerous travel had become commonplace.
When repair and blacktopping work began on this road during the tenure of the current MLA, the first phase consisted of filling potholes and preparing the base. But this is where the controversy ignited.
“Was a video creating confusion?”
Continuous bad weather halted the blacktopping work for a few days. Taking advantage of this opportunity, some opposition party leaders arrived at the site and made videos, alleging that:
“The MLA is only showing off on social media; no work is being done on the ground.”
The video quickly went viral, raising questions among the public: Is the work really limited to papers and cameras?
“The picture changed after three days”
But the story took a sudden turn.
Just three days later, as the weather cleared, blacktopping work began on the same road. Officials on the spot clarified, “Blacktopping in bad weather would have been technically incorrect. This could have completely damaged the road within a few months.”
This statement seemed to defuse the opposition’s allegations, and public discussion intensified as to whether this was a deliberate conspiracy.
“12 years of neglect versus the current action”
Officials also revealed that:
This road had not undergone any major repairs in the past 12 years.
The current work is being carried out on such a large scale for the first time.
Local residents say that the Bani area, which rivals Kashmir in natural beauty, has been neglected for years.
“Bani: A Neglected Area Despite Its Beauty”
Bani is often called a “hidden paradise”—lush hills, tranquil surroundings, and untouched natural beauty. But in the name of development, the area has lagged behind.
People allege that—
“Due to previous governments and some inactive MLAs, this area has been deliberately neglected.”
Mashhadi Road had become more than just a road but a symbol of the ongoing battle between politics and development. But by doing his work and fulfilling all his responsibilities, Dr. Rameshwar Singh proved that mere talk doesn’t achieve anything—deeds must be demonstrated, and that too for the public.
