Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Sept 5: Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar today exhorted upon the executing agencies to strictly adhere to the quality and quantity parameters in execution of all development works besides ensuring added transparency and accountability towards their job.
The Minister issued these instructions during his visit to Mansar, Dhema and adjoining areas of the district where he laid foundation stone for PWD Conference Hall, VIP Suites at PWD Guest house Mansar, improvement and upgradation of Dhema -Thial road under NABARD and up-gradation of Road from Thial to Chountra Mata under CRF.
MLA Ramnagar, Ranbir Singh Pathania was also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the improvement and up-gradation of road from Thial to Chountra Mata would uplift the socio-economic standard of the people of this rural area besides providing road connectivity to thousands of pilgrims visiting the Holy shrine of Chountra Mata.
To be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 2520 lakh, the 13 km long project would benefit 15000 souls of the villages, namely, Thial, Darabar, Rang, Blend, Dhemma, Chountra Mata etc.
Regarding the construction of Conference Hall and VIP Suites at PWD Dak Bungalow Mansar, the Minister informed that the work would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 130.33 lakh and would facilitate tourism in this historical and religious tourist place.
Stressing on maintaining quality in executing various developmental works, the Minister exhorted upon the Executive Engineers to work with sincerity and accountability. He also emphasized upon the officers to make optimum utilization of funds and ensure transparency.
Later, the Minister also held a public meeting at Dhemma where the people of the area apprised him of various problems being faced by them.
The people demanded a rest house at Chountra Mata besides providing road connectivity to various areas in the Tehsil Majalta.
The Minister assured the people that their problems would be resolved within shortest possible time and directed the concerned officers to look into their problems and demands for an early redressal.
Among others, Chief Engineer PWD Sudheer Shah, Chief Engineer PMGSY Satpal Manhas, S.E PWD N. D Khwaja, SE PMGSY R. Gandotra, ACR Subhash Chander Dogra, Executive Engineers and other district officers were present on the occasion.
The Minister took stock of progress of ongoing construction work of Tawi Bridge on Udhampur-Ramnagar road.