SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday announced development projects worth Rs 76.45 crore for Shopian district, reviewed the progress of ongoing works and assured farmers that issues affecting the horticulture sector would be addressed on priority.
During a district review meeting, Abdullah assessed the implementation of government schemes, infrastructure projects and public service delivery. He said the government remained committed to ensuring balanced development across all areas of the district despite financial constraints.
“There will be no injustice with Shopian or any Assembly constituency despite our financial limitations,” the Chief Minister said, directing officials to speed up pending projects and remove bottlenecks in implementation.
He also asked the district administration to closely monitor projects being executed under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme to ensure they are completed within the stipulated timelines.
Earlier, Abdullah inaugurated and laid the foundation for 13 projects worth Rs 76.45 crore covering roads, bridges, drinking water supply, urban development, rural infrastructure and horticulture.
Among the projects inaugurated were the upgradation of the Shirmal-Wathoo-Matipora Road, the Trenz-Sheikhpora Bridge, the Safanagri-Lamine Darbagh Wachi Road, several water supply schemes and residential accommodation for Panchayati Raj Institution members at Gagren.
He also laid the e-foundation for the Doompora multi-cell causeway, beautification works in Shopian town, a mechanical windrow composting unit at the Mega Fruit and Vegetable Mandi at Aglar and a pasteurised compost-making unit at Allowpora. At Aglar, he laid the foundation stone for an auction platform aimed at improving marketing facilities for fruit growers.
Interacting with members of the Fruit Mandi Association and horticulturists, Abdullah said the government would prioritise issues related to controlled atmosphere (CA) storage, marketing infrastructure and shop allotments. He also promised measures to check the sale of spurious pesticides and explore weather-based crop insurance and hailstorm protection for growers.
The Chief Minister later met public delegations from different parts of Shopian, who raised local developmental issues and civic concerns. He assured them that genuine demands would be examined and addressed.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Shopian gave a presentation on the district’s development indicators, implementation of centrally sponsored schemes and the status of ongoing projects. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, ministers Sakina Itoo and Javid Ahmad Dar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLAs Shabir Ahmad Kullay and Showkat Hussain Ganai, and senior civil administration officials.
