Jammu: Giving gigantic relief to the people of Raipur-Domana, especially those travelling through Bantalab-Amb Gharota road to reach Akhnoor, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat Thursday launched blacktopping work on this important road.
The Bantalab-Amb Gharota road, which is an important alternate link to reach Akhnoor-Rajouri-Poonch via new Akhnoor bridge was taken up for widening under CRF at a total estimated cost of Rs. 34 crore in two phases in 2016, of which most of the spade work has been completed. The blacktopping was kick started at village Nardani which will cover various stretches that have been completed. Under first phase, the project involves an amount of Rs. 19 crore that connects area between Bantalab-Burn an about 15 km length.
The second phase of project which has also been sanctioned under CRF involves an amount of Rs. 15 crore that connects areas from Burn to Thathi-Dumi upto new Akhnoor bridge. The work on this important stretch will also start very soon, said the Minister.
Addressing a largely attended public meeting at village Nardani near here, the Minister said the BJP-PDP Government in Jammu and Kashmir has only one agenda that is equitable development of all regions of the State and to create better living conditions for the people without any discrimination. Making a scathing attack on the previous regimes, he said Congress and National Conference ruled the State most and kept all the regions backward, and only selective areas were given attention. He said the present Government has a well thought out plan to ensure sustainable development for all sections of the society and moving in right direction to achieve its agenda and election manifesto.
Reiterating his resolve to develop the Raipur-Domana as a model constituency, Bali said major projects like construction of 100-bedded hospital at Kote-Bhalwal, Degree College, sanctioning of 4-laning of Jammu Akhnoor road, widening of Bantalab-Amb Gharota road, up-gradation of all link roads, power infrastructure and other basic facilities are the steps in this direction. He said a well-knit program has been conceived to develop this constituency and works are apace and results will be visible on ground gradually. He said about 140-km road length, including link roads, by-lanes have been blacktopped since the formation of present government and work on several other important projects is in progress He said all left out link roads will be up-graded/blacktopped in a phased manner and people should keep faith in the government. The present government has done more works in a short span of time which the previous regimes could not do in seven long decades after independence, Bali asserted.
Lauding the visionary approach of Pradhan Mantri, Narindera Modi, the Minister said all Union Ministries are extending helping hand to the Jammu and Kashmir and providing liberal funding to ensure fast-track development of this State which was ignored by the successive governments. He said the funds provided by the Congress Governments in Centre were drained and squandered on unnecessary in the name of development, with the result the State is still badly lacking in all fronts. The development was only on papers and hollow slogans were strength of these regimes, Bali maintained.
He extended heartfelt gratitude to the Central Government, especially the Prime Minister and Home Minister for giving focused attention to Jammu and Kashmir and making serious efforts to address many outstanding issues which are important for fast pacing the development scenario. He referred to several milestones achieved by the present government under the dynamic leadership of Narendra Modi and Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, which included sanctioning of two AIIMS, IIM, IIT and many other prestigious projects which will transform the State’s overall profile, said the Minister.
Sectoral Officers of various departments, prominent leaders, Sarpanchs and Panchs including, Sukhdev Singh Jamwal, Joginder Singh Chib, Madhu Sudhan, Ved Prakash were present on the occasion.
