Almora. Social activist and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Bhuvan Joshi launched a sharp attack on both the BJP and Congress over the deteriorating condition of the Quarab road. He said that despite being a basic public need, both parties have limited themselves to political rhetoric while the people have been facing this crisis for more than a decade.
Joshi said that if the local MP truly had political will, then as the Union Minister of State for Roads he would not have confined himself to speeches. Instead, he should have brought in BRO or another capable construction agency to provide a permanent solution to the fragile hillside. He added that as a result of negligence, lakhs of people across Almora, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh have been forced to live in unbearable hardships for the past two years.
He also hit out at Congress, recalling that during its rule several studies and reports had already highlighted the ill effects of road widening. Yet, Congress failed to act with seriousness. Joshi remarked that if Congress was truly concerned about public interest, it would have demanded the resignation of the MP long ago while in opposition.
The AAP leader pointed out that people have been suffering due to the poor state of this road for more than 10 years. During this time, countless lives have been lost and traders as well as vehicle owners have suffered huge losses. However, neither BJP nor Congress has ever assessed the damages, which Joshi described as a clear example of insensitivity from both sides.
Calling for accountability, Joshi demanded a thorough investigation into the causes of the recurring landslides in the area. He emphasized that the quality of past construction work must be reviewed and the roles of the Forest Department, Public Works Department, and Central Road Construction Department should also be examined impartially. Without such accountability, he said, no permanent solution could ever be achieved.
Issuing a warning, Joshi said that if BJP and Congress continue to ignore the matter and fail to show honesty, the people will never forgive them. He stressed that the issue of road infrastructure should not be used for political gains, but requires concrete and urgent action.
He appealed to both parties to rise above their political games and work sincerely to resolve the crisis. Highlighting the importance of the route, he said the Quarab road is the lifeline for Almora, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh districts. “The lives of lakhs of people depend on this road. It can no longer remain a victim of political blame games. The time has come for decisive action in the public interest,” Joshi concluded.
