Reviews Ring Road, Sindh River Front works; hears growers’ concerns at Zazuna Mandi
Ganderbal|Oct, 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday inaugurated five completed development projects worth Rs 16.72 crore and laid foundation stones for two projects worth Rs 41.54 crore in Ganderbal district, taking the total value of the projects to Rs 58.26 crore.
The projects include road connectivity improvements, a school building, a bridge over the River Jhelum and a multi-purpose auction platform at the Fruit and Vegetable Mandi in Zazuna, aimed at strengthening public infrastructure and supporting the district’s horticulture sector.
The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a bridge over the River Jhelum at GuzhamaShilwat, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 39 crore. The bridge is expected to improve connectivity for residents of the area.
He also laid the foundation stone for a multi-purpose auction platform at the Fruit and Vegetable Mandi, Zazuna, at a cost of Rs 2.54 crore. The facility is intended to strengthen trading infrastructure and improve facilities for fruit and vegetable growers.
The five completed projects inaugurated by the Chief Minister include roads connecting Tehsil Bagh with Lar Bypass and Yanihama with Dangerpora; the road from Dar Mohalla Wattalbagh to Dangerpora and allied links; a double-storey building at High School Gogjigund; the widened and upgraded road from Fatehpora Dak Bangloo to Gadoora Bridge; and the Pati Waskura to KharbaghBund road along the River Jhelum.
The projects, completed at a combined cost of Rs 16.72 crore, are expected to improve local connectivity and educational infrastructure.
During the visit, Omar Abdullah reviewed the progress of the Srinagar Ring Road project and was briefed by engineers at Dr Farooq Abdullah Environmental Park in Manigam about the ongoing construction and upgradation of the Pandaach-Manigam section.
The 12.115-kilometre highway project, being executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at a cost of Rs 290.51 crore, involves upgrading the existing two-lane road into a four-lane dual carriageway.
The project includes bridges, a flyover, culverts and service and slip roads. It is scheduled for completion by May 2028.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the ongoing development of the Sindh River Front and the Municipal Town Hall in Ganderbal.
The first phase of the Sindh River Front project, approved at a cost of Rs 4.83 crore, includes a protection wall, landscaping, a paved walkway, a viewpoint, a patio café and ornamental lighting.
Reviewing the upgradation and extension of the Municipal Town Hall, approved at a cost of Rs 3 crore, Omar Abdullah directed the concerned officers to expedite the work and ensure early completion so that the facility could be made available to the public at the earliest.
During his visit to the Fruit and Vegetable Mandi at Zazuna, the Chief Minister reviewed arrangements and activities for the ongoing harvest season and interacted with farmers and progressive growers.
The growers apprised him of issues affecting their operations and the wider horticulture sector. Omar Abdullah assured them that their genuine demands would be taken up for appropriate resolution.
The visit focused on reviewing the progress of major infrastructure projects, assessing the implementation of development works and addressing concerns raised by local residents and growers.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakina Itoo and Javid Dar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Shreya Singhal, along with senior officers, heads of departments, engineers and other concerned officials, accompanied the Chief Minister during the tour.
