Excelsior Correspondent
![Minister of State for Fisheries, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma laying foundation stone of bridge on Sunday.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Page11-1-300x168.jpg)
KATHUA, Oct 5: Minister of State for Fisheries, Cooperatives, Finance and Planning Dr Manohar Lal Sharma today laid foundation stone of 25 Mtr Span Bridge at Bathri in tehsil Billawar.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sharma said that after the completion of this bridge, it will be a vital link to connect good size of population. He informed that the 25 Mtr Moterable Bridge over Tarnal nallah would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 61.50 lakh under State Plan to be completed by PWD (R&B).
He highlighted the achievements made by Coalition Government and numbers of development projects, schemes and plans. He said skill development, MGNREGA and by providing bridges, roads, educational buildings and other civic facilities the living condition of the ruralities has been considerably improved. He appealed the youth to come forward and avail schemes of self employment to become self reliant instead of looking for Government jobs as they are quite a limited in numbers.
Later, while listening to the problems of the people, which were mainly related to the shortage of basic amenities like electric poles, water supply scheme for Bathri, blacktopping of Bathri road, hand pump for SC mohalla and dispensary. Dr Sharma passed directions to PHE Department to install hand pump. He directed the PDD officers to issue twenty electric poles to cater the demand of needy people. He assured that a water supply scheme will be taken up to address the drinking water demand of the locals. He also assured that the work of blacktopping will be prioritized further in coming times.