Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 30: Former Union Health Minister and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi today said that Mughal Road became reality only due to the UPA Government while `all others’ paid lip service and tried to take the credit.
Addressing large public rallies at Surankote in Poonch, Dharmari, Gool and Silabagga in Gulabgarh and Gool-Arnas in district Reasi and Chenani in Udhampur today, Mr Azad claimed that historic Mughal Road, connecting Poonch-Rajouri districts with Kashmir Valley and providing an alternate highway to Kashmir became reality only due to Congress- led UPA Government at the Centre. He said some political parties tried to take credit of constructing this road but this is hard reality that the prestigious project could be completed on war footing only due to the efforts of Congress leadership.
Describing the construction of Mughal Road as one of the landmark achievements of Congress-led Government, Mr Azad said that the re-opening of this historical route has alleviated the hardships of the people of Pir Panjal region.
The top AICC leader, who was accompanied by PCC president Prof Saifuddin Soz said that since the laying of foundation stone by Dr Manmohan Singh in March 2006, the execution of Mughal Road was done in a fast-track mode. “UPA Government by way of liberal funding revised the project cost from Rs 225 crores to Rs 640 crores under PM’s Reconstruction Programme and fast-tracked execution led to the creation of a viable alternate connectivity for the people of Pir Panjal in a short span of two & a half years”, Azad said.
Giving a historical account of the Mughal Road project, Azad said it was notified in 1969 as Shopian-Dubjan-Aliabad Road in February, 1969; taken up for execution in 1977, and by 1990, after 23 years, only 30 kms of single track in stretches was completed. He further said that in just two and half years, Congress-led Government made it a motorable road.
“Our track record on account of executing infrastructure projects like Mughal road has been unparallel and no other political party can claim to have carried out developmental works with such determination, passion and speed”, Mr Azad said adding that some political parties have been `selling this project’ as their achievement without even turning a single stone on the ground.
Seeking a decisive mandate from the people of the State, Azad said that Congress-led Government has proven credentials of being the single most pro-development force in the State while others have always believed in exploiting people on religious and regional lines.
The AICC leader claimed that Congress has shown the way in the execution of mega projects like roads, hydro-power, colleges, schools, hospitals etc. in a time bound manner, in addition to providing an efficient, credible and pro-people governance to the State inspite of the hurdles created by alliance partners.
Urging the people of Pir Panjal to give decisive and convincing mandate to the Congress Party, Azad assured to craft a new, empowered and progressive Pir Panjal which will be an abode of prosperity, harmony and progress.
Recalling his efforts towards operationalizing the cross-LoC trade and opening the route of Chakkan-da-Bagh, Azad said that he personally supervised the construction of infrastructure on the LoC to ensure its completion in the shortest possible time. Expressing happiness over the success of UPA Govts initiative of promoting cross-LoC interaction and trade, Azad said that it has not only enabled the divided families to meet each other, but has also generated employment and trading opportunities for the business communities on both the sides.
Azad said that the parting gift of his tenure as Union Health Minister has been the sanctioning of five Cancer Institutes & five Medical Colleges for the State, including one Medical College at Rajouri. He assured that a new momentum to the growth and development of the Pir Panjal region will be accorded if the people repose their confidence and trust in the Congress Party.
“Four-laning of National Highway from Lakhanpur to Srinagar, construction of Zojila tunnel, upgradation of Srinagar-Leh Highway, construction of Bhaderwah-Chamba road etc are some of the path-breaking initiatives of UPA Government to improve the road network in the State, in addition to providing liberal support under PMGSY, NABARD, CRF etc”, Azad added.
In order to provide alternate road connectivity to Chenab Valley, UPA Government approved the Sudhamahadev-Marmat tunnel by undertaking its feasibility study through BRO and expressed confidence that Central Government will soon release funds for the execution of this project. To explore alternate and shortest possible connectivity with Kashmir Valley, Azad said that UPA Govt directed the State Government to prepare a DPR for Doda-Dessa-Kapran road which has since been submitted by State Government to Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for accord of final approval.
He further said that one of the key contribution of UPA Government has been the construction of Jammu-Srinagar Railway line. “UPA Govt ensured huge funding worth Rs 20,000 crores for the construction of rail line and I am happy that most part of this rail project has been completed and work is going on in full swing in the remaining parts” Azad said.
The former Chief Minister said that Congress is seeking votes on the basis of its developmental achievements and promise of taking the process to new heights in the most expeditious manner paving the way to make J&K a modern, progressive and prosperous state. He expressed hope that people will reject divisive and sectarian parties as Congress alone can ensure judicious distribution of resources while accommodating the urges and aspirations of all the three regions of the State.
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