Advisor Sharma visits Keediyan-Gandiyal bridge, AIIMS site

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 19: Advisor to Governor, Kewal Kumar Sharma today visited Keediyan-Gandiyal bridge site in Kathua and inspected the arrangements being made for the inaugural event of the bridge by Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari on January 22, 2019.
The Advisor was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Rohit Khajuria, Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B), Sudheer Shah, Superintending Engineer R&B Jammu-Kathua besides other senior functionaries.
The Advisor said that the 1.2 km long landmark Keediyan-Gandiyal bridge on river Ravi in district Kathua, built at a cost of nearly Rs 150 crore, will strengthen the inter-state connectivity besides giving a boost to the social as well as economical development of the people living in the adjoining areas.
It will be the first-of-its-kind, linking secluded areas of district Kathua across river Ravi with the other side, he added.
With its commissioning, the sixty year pending demand for the bridge will be fulfilled ,the Advisor said, adding that, the travel distance between the two inter-State destinations of J&K and Punjab will get shortened and at the same time, it will also reduce the traffic on the Jammu-Kathua-Pathankot National Highway.
While inspecting the arrangements for the inaugural function, the Advisor exhorted upon the agencies to ensure fool proof security besides other necessary arrangements are put in place well in time for smooth and successful conduct of the event.
The Advisor said that the Government has constituted a Service Grievance Committee for redressing the issues of government employees and the necessary steps will be taken as per SROs.
On his way, the Advisor also met the locals of Kathua area and enquired about the development needs of the area.
Earlier, Advisor Sharma visited AIIMS site in Vijaypur and inspected the pace of work on the prestigious project.
Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Sushma Chouhan informed the Advisor about the present status of the on-going work and other related aspects of the mega project.
The Advisor was also briefed about the status of rehabilitation of relocated families.
He further enquired about the arrangements being made for the Prime Minister’s visit for laying foundation stone for the prestigious project.