SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday inaugurated an Rs 8 crore bridge over Nallah Sukhnag and laid the foundation stones for several infrastructure projects in Beerwah, Budgam, with a combined investment of around Rs 25 crore.
The projects include a transformer repair workshop, a 10 MVA receiving station, a sub-divisional office building and works to improve civic amenities and tourism infrastructure in the area.
The two-span truss girder bridge over Nallah Sukhnag, with each span measuring 35 metres, was inaugurated to improve connectivity for residents. Abdullah said the bridge addressed a long-standing demand of the local population and would make movement easier once opened for public use.
He also laid the foundation stones for the beautification of Nallah Sukhnag, including walkways, lighting, a walking track and decks, and the beautification of Beerwah town, estimated to cost around Rs 6.33 crore.
The Chief Minister also launched work on a transformer repair workshop in Beerwah, approved at a cost of Rs 4.85 crore under the UT Capex Budget 2026–27. The facility is intended to repair and rebuild damaged distribution transformers locally, reducing the time required for repairs and replacements.
Once operational, the workshop is expected to restore around 1,000 damaged distribution transformers annually, helping reduce power outages, particularly during winter.
Another project, a 10 MVA receiving station at Sail in Beerwah, has been approved at a cost of Rs 4.50 crore. It is expected to ease the burden on neighbouring receiving stations, address winter overloading, improve voltage levels in Sail and adjoining villages, and reduce unscheduled power cuts and technical losses.
Abdullah said the receiving station was expected to become operational within four to five months. Stressing the need for a local transformer repair facility, he said it would help address difficulties faced by residents during winter.
“God willing, we will complete the workshop as soon as possible,” he said.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for a sub-divisional office building at Sonpah in Beerwah, approved at Rs 82.29 lakh under the UT Capex Budget 2026–27. The building is intended to provide dedicated administrative space, improve office functioning and facilitate access to public services. Work on the project has recently commenced.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Beerwah MLA Shafi Ahmed Wani, Additional Chief Secretary of the Power Development Department Ashwini Kumar, Budgam Deputy Commissioner Jatin Kishore and other senior officers accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.
