SRINAGAR: With emphasis on connectivity, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday laid the foundation of several road upgradation and widening projects in the twin north Kashmir districts of Baramulla and Bandipora. The projects involve a public investment of Rs 60 crore.
The days started with the foundation laying of widening and upgradation of 15 kilometre long Hygam-Tarzoo, Sopore road at Hygam. To be built over a cost of Rs 14.15 crore, the two lane road would have a carriage way of around 4 metres. The road project would also include Choora-Wagub road stretch and touch the Sopore bypass at Chanakhan, thereby giving the catchment areas an improved access to Sopore town and National Highway.
At Sopore, Mehbooba Mufti laid the foundation stone of widening and upgradation of 10 KMs long Ladoora-Achabal road being executed at a cost of Rs 17.11 crore.
Mehbooba Mufti also laid the foundation of upgradation of Sopore-Shiva road at Dangarpora. The 24 KM long stretch of road would be constructed at a cost of Rs 17.65 crore. She directed the executing agencies to complete the project within 18 months so that people of the area get the benefits of this improved connectivity at the earliest.
Later, the Chief Minister visited Bandipora and laid the foundation of 13.20 kilometre long Bandipora-Arin-Nadihal road which would be executed at a cost of Rs 10.56 crore. The project is expected to be completed next year. The road project, on completion, would benefit 32 thousand souls of 12 villages of the catchment areas.
Mehbooba Mufti also inaugurated the newly constructed conference Hall at DC office complex built over a cost of Rs4.45 crore. On the occasion, she reviewed the status of developmental works in the district with the officers of district administration also.
Ms Mufti told locals that the coming season would be a year of infrastructure development. She said many road and tunnel projects have been planned for execution in the State which would not only connect areas and people but also bring about a substantial economic turnaround to these areas and people.
Mehbooba Mufti said the Government has flagged sectors like infrastructure development, tourism and horticulture as thrust areas which can get the local economy a boost and help in tiding over the problem of unemployment in the State. She said Tarzoo-Hygam area is a famous attraction for bird watchers and Nature lovers and her Government wants to tap the potential by formulating a structured apparatus for the area. With the completion of the road project, she said, the tourism potential of the area would get a boost besides giving locals an improved connect to the National Highway.
Ms Mufti was accompanied by ministers Syed Basharat Bukhari, Naeem Akhtar and various lawmakers representing the area.
In Sopore, residents demanded augmentation of drinking water supply in the town, completion of work on the Sub District Hospital, Sopore and relocating Girls Higher Secondary school to an appropriate spacious place.
Inauagrations in Baramulla
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti laid the foundation of two hostels and a Community Hall here besides the Currency Chest of JK Bank in Baramulla, according to an official spokesman.
The Chief Minister laid the foundation of a hostel at Girls Higher Secondary School, Baramulla which would be built over a cost of Rs 3.06 crore. She directed the project to be completed by the end of this year. She expressed concern over the water logging of internal road and condition of some buildings in the campus. She directed the administration to take immediate steps for face-lifting and other renovation works on these buildings.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister directed introduction of Commerce and Home Science streams at the school to further broaden the subject choice of the students of catchment areas.
Minister for Education, Syed Altaf Bukhari informed the Chief Minister that Rs 1 crore has already been earmarked for various restoration works at the school which would be taken up at the earliest.
Earlier, the Chief Minister laid the foundation of Janbaz Wali Community Hall to be built over a cost of Rs. 7.45 crore in the middle of the town. On completion, the Community Hall would provide facilities of assembly in the midst of the town to local people, addressing their long pending demand.
Mehbooba Mufti also laid the foundation of Gujjar & Bakerwal Hostel at Khawaja Bagh with an intake capacity of 100 beds. Being built at a cost of Rs 3.26 crore the hostel is expected to be completed by next January.
During the visit, the Chief Minister also inaugurated Currency Chest of JK Bank at Kanispora. Built over a cost of Rs. seven crore, the Chest would be making cash available to the 88 business units across the district.
