Works Minister for harnessing huge potential of local resources in Kargil

Kargil: Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar Friday said Kargil has a huge potential by virtue of its resources like agricultural products, water bodies and unique geographical features, and government is focused on a plan to tap these potential and propel the border district into an era of unprecedented development and progress.
The Minister who is on an extensive tour of the district said the time has started to change for the district as both people and government are coming together in a healthy partnership of sustainable development. Stressing on the need of women education, the Minister said the upcoming girls hostel to be constructed at a cost of Rs 7 crore will provide a safe and secure place for girls from far off villages to continue their education.
The Minister along with the Chairman Legislative Council Haji Anayat Ali, Vice Chairman KVIB Mansoor Hussain, Executive Councillor for Agriculture Muhammad Hussain and Executive Councillor for Rural Development Aga Syed Hassan Armaan Moosavi toured more than a dozen villages in Suru Valley where he interacted with people and listened to their issues. The Minister gave on the spot directions for their redressal.
The Minister laid the foundation stone of bridge on Suru River and its approach road at Thuina. The project will be completed in a span of two years at a cost of Rs 5.79 crore under PMGSY. While praising the beauty of Thuina the Minister said in the coming years with the help of government and work of enterprising local youth, Thuina will become a must visit place for tourists from not only India but the entire world.
The Minister also laid the foundation stone of up gradation of link road from Kanoor to Tambis under PMGSY Phase X. The project will be completed at a cost of Rs 12.66 crore and will benefit a large section of population residing on both sides of Suru River.
Later the Minister also laid the foundation stone of a motorable bridge at Thulus Pursa Panikhar under CRF. The Project will be completed at a cost of Rs 8.14 crore.
The Minister addressed public rallies at Minji, Kanoor, Trespone, Sankoo, and several other villages. The Minister said the biggest development project of the century for the entire Ladakh region will be the construction of Zojila Tunnel. He said the construction work will be started within next 45 days. He said the companies have agreed to start the construction work on the tunnel simultaneously at five points from Sonamarg and Drass side and in between, which will expedite its completion. He said the tunnel will lay the foundation for a vibrant, connected and progressive Ladakh.
The Minister said Kargil is bestowed with nature’s bounties in the shape of its agricultural produce like Apricot, Apples, Walnut and their potential needs to be tapped to next level. He called on the youths to come forward and set up processing units for these products so that the entire sector gets a fillip and value addition. He said Khadi and Village Industries Board is ready to provide huge credit with 35 percent subsidy component. “Even if the youth submit proposals for units costing at an aggregate of Rs 200 crore, we are ready to provide the same at the earliest,” said the Minister along with Vice Chairman KVIB Mansoor Hussain.
The Minister said the entire Kargil region has no comparison in its natural beauty which needs to be showcased. He called on the youth to utilize social media to promote their natural wonders like huge Buddha statues, beauty of Suru and other river valleys, Nun Kun peaks etc. He said time is not far when people won’t get reservation to visit this place and people come to know about it.
At Sankoo, the Minister also interacted with youth who were participating in a first ever awareness program on Prime Ministers Employment Generation Program organized by J&K Khadi and Village Industries Board. He said youth are the key to development of the Kargil and they need to come forward to set up income generating and job creating units. He said such awareness programs are a step in same direction.
Meanwhile various public delegations called on the Minister and apprised him of their demands and problems related to construction, augmentation and up gradation of roads, establishment of Degree College at Sankoo, up gradation of Middle and High Schools, settlement of land and tree compensation cases, healthcare, educational, drinking water and other basic amenities. The Minister assured the people that all the problems will be taken care of on priority basis.