Jammu : Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary announced that a tunnel connecting Machil Sector to hinterland at Z-Gali has been sanctioned under the ‘Other than Capital Acquisition’ head with preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is underway for its inclusion in the Annual Works Plan (AWP) 2026-27.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Legislator, QaysarJamshaid Lone in the Legislative Assembly Thursday.
He said that the Machil (Machhal) area experiences heavy snowfall during winter months, which affects the connectivity and poses difficulties for the residents. He added that an institutional mechanism is in place to address the essential requirements during winters, with advance planning and necessary arrangements made to ensure availability of basic services, including healthcare and essential supplies.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that representations for construction of Lolab–Bandipora Tunnel have been received from the local population, citing its strategic and connectivity importance.
Rs 136.67 lakh spent on sports infra in past 3 yrs in Billawar constituency: Satish Sharma
An amount of Rs. 136.67 lakh has been spent on promotion and upgradation of sports infrastructure in Billawar constituency during the past three years.
This information was given by Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, while replying to a question raised by Legislator Satish Kumar Sharma in the Legislative Assembly Thursday.
He said that the department has already distributed 149 sports kits in different schools and clubs in the said constituency. He added that the department also conducts trail/selection camps and talent hunt programmes at school and zone level on a regular basis.
“During the current financial year 2025-26, playfields have been developed in the constituency including construction and upgradation of playground at HS Lohai with an allotted cost of Rs 5.48 lakh and construction of Synthetic Volleyball Court at Government HSS Dhar Dugnoo with an alloted cost of Rs 8.81 lakh”, informed the Deputy CM.
He added that several works are under execution like construction of practice pitch, competition pitch and volleyball court and allied works at playfield Billawar amounting Rs. 35.00 lakh approved under CAPEX. Besides, construction of a playfield at Ridi ward number 7 Panchayat Malti block Billawar district approved under CAPEX worth Rs 20. 00 lakh is also being done on war footing.
The Minister further said that 53 awareness programmes, sports activities and other competitions have been held in the constituency in the past three years. He further said that sports activities would be given a huge fillip in the rural and border areas.
He also said that Rs. 109.22 crore funds have been allocated for the road construction works across South Kashmir constituencies during the financial year 2025-26. He added that macadimization of about 268.67 kilometre road length was carried out across South Kashmir during this period.
The Deputy Chief Minister, was replying to a question raised by MLA, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Mir in the Legislative Assembly.
He said that the work has been done under sectors like Cities and Towns, Potholes, UT Road Sector, NABARD, CRIF and District Capex. He added that on the recommendation of the MLA Rajpora, a project proposal for widening and upgradation of Lassipora–Litter–Sangam road covering a length of 14 km, at an estimated cost of Rs. 98.71 crore, has been received by the department and is presently under consideration.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the DPR for construction of 15 km Kandipathri–Shidak Shrine Road project has been prepared at an estimated cost of Rs. 48.26 crore. He added that a major portion of the proposed alignment falls under the forest area and, therefore, requires mandatory forest clearance prior to execution. He further said that the DPR for widening and upgradation of Lassipora–Litter–Sangam road has been prepared at an estimated cost of Rs. 98.71 crore under CRIF.
He added that the existing carriageway width of about 5.5 meter is inadequate in view of the heavy traffic, particularly due to the presence of Industrial Growth Centre (IGC), Lassipora. Further, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the proposals are under consideration of the department which is ascertaining the feasibility and availability of the resources.
