Salwah (Mendhar) September 13: In a major push to strengthen basic infrastructure and improve access to essential public services in the Salwah area, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today inaugurated several completed development projects and laid the foundation stones for a number of new works in the sectors of road connectivity, drinking water, education and healthcare.
The initiatives are aimed at addressing key infrastructure needs of the people and improving the delivery of essential services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
During his visit to Salwah block, the Minister also inspected various ongoing development works and took detailed stock of their physical and financial progress. Rana was informed that development projects worth approximately Rs 70 crore are presently under execution in Salwah block.
Reviewing the status of these works, he directed the concerned officers and executing agencies to ensure their timely completion while maintaining the highest standards of quality.
The Minister stressed that all development projects must be executed strictly in accordance with prescribed technical specifications and within the stipulated timelines so that the intended benefits reach the people at the earliest.
He called for close coordination among departments and executing agencies, along with regular field-level monitoring, to identify and resolve bottlenecks promptly.
Rana observed that the ongoing works encompass vital sectors such as roads, drinking water, education and healthcare, areas that have a direct bearing on the quality of life and socio-economic well-being of the people.
“Development is meaningful only when it translates into tangible improvements in the daily lives of people. Our priority is to ensure that essential infrastructure and public services reach every community, particularly those living in rural, remote and underserved areas,” he said.
The Minister inaugurated the macadamized Nakka Salwah Road, completed under the Cities and Towns Scheme at a cost of Rs 90 lakh. The improved road is expected to provide safer and smoother connectivity to local residents while facilitating the movement of people and goods.
He also inaugurated the newly constructed school building at Middle School, Khorbani Salwah, completed under the CDF Scheme at a cost of Rs 20 lakh.
The new school building is expected to provide improved classroom infrastructure and a more conducive learning environment for students.
The Minister underscored the importance of strengthening educational infrastructure, noting that adequate and modern facilities are essential for promoting quality education and creating better opportunities for the younger generation.
“These completed works reflect our commitment to converting development plans into visible and tangible outcomes on the ground. Better roads, improved educational infrastructure and strengthened public facilities are essential for inclusive development and for improving the quality of life of our people,” Rana said.
As part of the new development initiatives, Rana laid the foundation stone for the Nakka Salwah–Nar Tarkhana Road, to be constructed under the SASCI Scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 240 lakh.
The Public Works (R&B) Department will execute the project. Once completed, the road is expected to improve connectivity for habitations along the route and provide residents with better access to educational institutions, healthcare facilities, markets and other essential services.
The Minister also laid the foundation stone for the Sub Centre Building at Salwah, which will be constructed under the District CAPEX Budget at an estimated cost of Rs 45 lakh.
The proposed health facility will strengthen the local primary healthcare network and improve access to basic medical services, particularly for residents who presently have to travel longer distances to avail themselves of healthcare facilities.
Rana emphasised that strengthening healthcare infrastructure at the grassroots level is essential for ensuring timely, affordable and accessible medical care to people living in rural areas.
Giving further impetus to drinking water infrastructure, Rana laid the foundation stones for three important Water Supply Schemes (WSS) being taken up under UT CAPEX:
WSS Pathanteer — estimated cost of Rs 150 lakh
WSS Salwah Ghutna — estimated cost of Rs 89.50 lakh
WSS Salwah — estimated cost of Rs 633.52 lakh
The three schemes have a combined estimated cost of Rs 873.02 lakh.
Once completed, these projects are expected to augment the existing drinking water infrastructure and help meet the water requirements of the local population.
Rana said that ensuring adequate, safe and reliable drinking water supply remains one of the foremost priorities of the Omar Abdullah-led Government.
“Ensuring safe, adequate and reliable drinking water to every household is among the foremost priorities of the Omar Abdullah-led Government. We are committed to strengthening water supply infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas, while ensuring that projects are completed efficiently and provide tangible and lasting benefits to the people,” he said.
Focus on quality, timely execution
During his inspection of the ongoing development works, Rana directed the concerned officers and executing agencies to maintain continuous monitoring and adhere strictly to prescribed technical and quality standards.
He stressed that the timely completion of projects must go hand in hand with quality execution, adding that every work should meet the required technical parameters to ensure durability, sustainability and long-term public benefit.
The Minister called upon officers to remain responsive to local requirements and ensure that project planning and implementation are guided by the actual needs and priorities of the people.
“Every project must be executed with a clear focus on public benefit. There should be no unnecessary delays, and quality must remain non-negotiable,” Rana said.
He further directed field officers to conduct regular inspections and submit timely progress reports so that any issues affecting implementation could be identified and resolved without delay.
As part of the “People’s Participation for a Better J&K” initiative, the Minister also interacted with local residents, students and other stakeholders at Government Higher Secondary School, Salwah.
During the interaction, participants highlighted a range of issues relating to road connectivity, drinking water supply, healthcare, education and other basic amenities.
The Minister gave a patient hearing to the concerns and suggestions put forth by the participants and assured them that the issues raised would be examined on priority and taken up with the concerned departments for appropriate action.
Rana reiterated that public participation and regular interaction with local communities are essential for ensuring that development planning remains responsive to ground realities.
He said that the Government remains committed to strengthening infrastructure, improving public service delivery and ensuring equitable development across rural and remote areas.
He called upon the officers to maintain close engagement with the people and ensure that development initiatives are implemented in a transparent, efficient and time-bound manner.
