Road network in Chenab valley set for major overhaul by 2019: Naeem

Bhaderwah: Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar has said the government is working under a comprehensive road upgradation plan to macadamize every road in Chenab valley by the end of 2019. The Minister said this while addressing a series of public meetings during his day-long visit to Bhaderwah.
Stressing that the roads are pre-requisite for development of any area, the Minister said the government will spend more than Rs 500 crore for connecting far-flung areas in the district with all-weather road connectivity.
Taking cognizance of the complaints raised by the people regarding works left unattended for years together, the Minister directed the department to take strict action against those contractors who don’t meet the timelines of projects.
The Minister was informed that the department has targeted to macadamize a road length of 220 km, besides construction of 12 bridges in Doda in the current financial year. “The government has completed the long stalled prestigious projects including Batote-Kishtwar road, Ganpat Bridge and Bhaderwah-Chamba road,” the Minister said, adding that more than 140 road projects would be completed in the district under PMGSY and other programs in the next two years.
The Minister also laid the foundation stone of link road from Ghati Ghurakha to Himote via Lalha to be constructed at the cost of Rs. 3 crore. He also laid the foundation for widening and upgradation of road from Pul Doda to Beoli via Doda under CRF at the cost of Rs. 5 crore. Minister of State for Public Works, Sunil Sharma was also present on the occasion.
MLA Bhaderwah Daleep Parihar, MLC Firdous Tak, Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B) Sudheer Shah, Chief Engineer, PMGSY S.P Manhas, Deputy Commissioner, Doda Bhawani Rakwal, Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Syed Nayeem Ahmad, Superintending Engineer, PWD (R&B) Circle Doda Niaz Banday, engineers of PWD (R&B), PMGSY and senior officers of district administration accompanied the Minister during the tour.
On his way to Bhaderwah, the Minister interacted with the locals at Puranoo, Baru and Malothi where the villagers demanded construction of roads from Bhalla to Tron, Puranoo to Masri, Malnai to Chakrabarthi and Puranoo Sarothi Bridge, improvement in drainage system, upgradation of Middle School and PHC in Puranoo.
In Malothi, the people demanded construction of roads from Malothi to Thalsra and Bhalla to Dugli, besides provision for Academic Block, playground and additional classrooms in Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Malothi and establishment of Community Centre in the area.
During a public grievances redress camp in Panjgrain, the locals sought establishment of Degree College and Dispensary in Panjgrain, provision for employment opportunities to local youth in road projects and construction of roads from Panjgrain to Chanti, circular road at Malothi, Malothi to Panjgrain, Malothi to Chilli and link road from Kehlote Khanpura to Chalrie Jagote.
While addressing the gathering, the Minister said the work on minor road and link roads will be started after the completion of major road projects in the district which cater to large chunk of population.
“Every village in Doda will be connected to the District Headquarters with high-quality roads in next two years,” the Minister said, adding that the work on circular road in Malothi, Biru Basti to Dogli and Bhalla to Tesna will be started in January next year.
In Khellani, the locals sought upgradation of Govt. Middle School, promotion of rural sports, construction of stadium and establishment of Receiving Station in the area while as in Katyara, the people demanded construction of roads from Katyara to Sarachi Dhanu and Bheja to Thanala.
Later, the Minister also convened a public meeting in Bhaderwah in which the locals apprised the Minister about various problems being faced by them related to road connectivity, healthcare, education, power supply and sanitation.
While addressing the gathering, the Minister informed that the road projects in Bhaderwah remain delayed due to shortage of hot mix plants in the district. He further informed the Govt. Medical College in Doda will be completed in next two years and the road from Bhaderwah to Jai would be connected to Gandoh.