Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 10: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today assured representatives and local people of Doda that work would be launched shortly on new National Highway to Doda from Chenani via Sudh Mahadev while existing Doda-Kishtwar Highway would be widened and repaired to make it free of traffic chaos even as she directed for promotion of tourist spots in Doda district including Bhaderwah. Click here to watch video
On second day of her three-day tour to Doda region, Mehbooba today met large number of delegations at Doda district headquarters and assured them that the Government would do its best to resolve their issues in a “speedy and sustainable way”.
The Chief Minister, who holds charge of Planning and Development Department, ordered on spot release of Rs 1.70 crore for various developmental works in Doda district, which were projected by the delegations. She asked her Principal Secretary-cum Comm-issioner/Secretary Planning, Rohit Kansal to release the funds immediately and monitor speedy completion of works approved today.
Yesterday, the Chief Minister received the delegations in Kishtwar district and today in Doda district. At both the places, her inter-action with the public at ‘Grievance Redressal Camp’ as part of her `Public Outreach Programme’ continued till late in the night. She would return here tomorrow morning.
Mehbooba categorically assured the delegations that the issues projected by them through written memorandums and verbally will be considered and she would try her best to resolve them expeditiously.
In a couple of tweets this afternoon, Mehbooba wrote on micro-blogging site twitter: “Spending the day with the people of Doda today. Discussing their issues and complaints and how best to resolve them. We will do our best to resolve the issues in a speedy and sustainable way”.
Through another tweet, the Chief Minister said: “I am concerned over the reports of prevalence of Hepatitis in some areas of Wadwan in Kishtwar district and have directed a team of doctors to visit the affected area”.
Apart from large number of people, four MLAs and two MLCs also met the Chief Minister in Doda. They included Dileep Parihar, Shakti Parihar and Neelam Langeh, BJP MLAs from Bhaderwah, Doda and Ramban districts and GM Saroori, Congress MLA from Inderwal, Naresh Gupta and Sham Lal Bhagat (both Congress MLCs).
The Centre Government proposed to construct new National Highway from Chenani to Doda via Sudh Mahadev for which the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared. The new highway was taken up following reports that existing Doda-Kishtwar National Highway might not survive long.
On demand for tourism promotion projected by the people especially the delegations from Bhaderwah, Mehbooba Mufti directed the authorities to survey what kind of tourism promotional activities can be carried out in Bhaderwah and other parts of Doda district especially Lal Draman and Dal Draman. She assured the delegations that more tourism promotional sites would be explored in Doda district to attract tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir.
Like Kishtwar, number of delegations in Doda also demanded construction of Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel for all weather road link between Doda and Kishtwar to the Kashmir Valley via Anantnag.
Mehbooba told the delegations that she would ensure that work on Bhaderwah-Chamba and Bhaderwah-Basohli roads was expedited to ensure their early completion. These roads, the delegations pointed out, would not only increase inter-State connectivity but also attract tourists from Himachal Pradesh to Bhaderwah directly.
Responding to demands of the delegations, the Chief Minister on spot ordered release of Rs 1.70 crore worth developmental works in Doda district.
She ordered release of Rs 35 lakh for installation of street lights at Doda, Bhaderwah and Thathri, Rs 50 lakh for Receiving Station at Kilotran, Rs 20 lakh for three major roads of Thathri, Rs 5 lakh for Kastigarh-Daru road, Rs 30 lakh for Etwas Water Supply Scheme Jodhpur, Rs 10 lakh for renovation of Community Centre, Rs 5 lakh for Gatti-Gulaka Road, Rs 10 lakh for Dessa Higher Secondary School and Rs 5 lakh for Assar-Patta road.
An official handout said:- The demands put forth during the day long camp included construction of Doda-Kapran road via Dessa to connect the district with Kashmir Valley, installation of street lights in the towns and promotion of Doda and Bhaderwah on the tourism map of the State. The delegations also demanded setting up of a skill development institute for training manpower for the upcoming power projects in the region, establishment of a women’s college in the town and early completion of Ganpat bridge.
The deputations sought establishment of a women’s college in the town, enhancement in the quota for Prime Minister’s Awas Yojna, installation of street lights and shifting of office of DIG, Doda-Kishtwar range to Doda.
A deputation from Marmat area demanded construction of Humbal-Dedni road, setting up of a Herbal Research Centre in the area and establishment of micro projects over Raggi nallah.
A deputation from Bhalessa sought intervention of the Chief Minister in redressing problems in power distribution in the area.
Several deputations from Thathri demanded improvement in drinking water facilities and upgradation of road networks in the area.
A deputation from Kastigarh sought repairs of the Kastigarh irrigation canal and upgradation of Kastigarh-Daru road.
A deputation from Assar demanded construction of road from Assar to Thanda Pani and inclusion of Patta village under electrification.
A deputation of specially-abled persons sought adherence to reservation quota for handicapped and organising special training courses for them.
Deputations of traders, engineers, youth groups and people from areas like Gandoh, Marmat, Bhalessa, Kastigarh, Beoli and Bhagwa also met the Chief Minister and sought redressal of their grievances.
The Chief Minister listened to the demands of the deputations throughout the day and it continued till late in the night. In many of the cases, Mehbooba gave on spot directions for the redressal of the grievances which was hailed by the deputationists.
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Rohit Kansal; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr M K Bhandari; senior officers from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and Planning Department; heads of several Departments; Chiefs of many Engineering wings; Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Bhawani Rakwal; SSP Doda, Mohammad Shabir and officers of District administration were present on the occasion.
With this, Mehbooba has so far conducted such programmes at 12 districts of Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora and Ganderbal in Kashmir Valley and Ramban, Samba, Kathua and Kishtwar districts in Jammu province during which hundreds of people apprised her about their problems and difficulties. The public outreach programmes launched by the Chief Minister have evoked an interesting response from the public who come up with their problems for an on the spot redressal.
Meanwhile, Mehbooba today visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Farid ud Din (RA) and paid her obeisance there.
She prayed for peace and prosperity in the State and welfare of the people. She paid her respects at the mausoleum of Hazrat Shah Anwar ud Din (R.A.) and Hazrat Shah Akhyar ud Din (R.A.).
Later before proceeding to Doda for the next leg of her visit, the Chief Minister visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Israr-ud-Din (RA) and also prayed for peace, prosperity and wellbeing of the State and its people.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister directed the district administration to maintain a high level of cleanliness around these shrines, which witness huge rush of devotees and pilgrim tourists. She directed availability of electricity and water supply at these shrines without any disturbance.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
