Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 2: Pitching for early completion of various road works in Kalakote constituency of Rajouri district, Minister for Animal & Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Abdul Gani Kohli, said better road connectivity is correlated with economic development as it promotes access to economic and social services.
The Minister said this while chairing a meeting of officers of Public Works Department and PMGSY convened to review the progress on major road network development works taken up for execution in Kalakote constituency during this fiscal.
The Minister said lack of road connectivity is one of the major infrastructural deficiencies in the remote districts. He said improvement in connectivity will help increase Government out-reach to people living in remote areas, adding that availability of services would help in enhancing agricultural incomes and employment opportunities.
Enjoining upon officers to work with utmost dedication and in coordinated manner, the Minister asked all concerned authorities to ensure that the works are completed within stipulated time frame. He further exhorted upon officers to ensure that no compromise are made on quality of materials being used during the execution process.
During the meeting, the Minister was informed about the progress on various road works in the area.
The Minister was informed that 37 different schemes were taken up by R&B Department for execution in Kalakote under State Sector at a cost of Rs 118.85 crore, out of which Rs 16.58 crore have been incurred up to ending March 2016, while as for the current year an amount of Rs 1.37 crore has been released. Besides, 35 schemes have also been taken up under district plan by R&B Deptt at a cost of Rs 89.80 crore and as many as 15 schemes have been taken up under NABARD in Kalakote Constituency at a cost of Rs 41.72 crore.
He was further informed that under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme (PMRP), 9 major bridges have been taken up for construction involving an amount of Rs 34.51 crore out of which 7 bridges have been completed and work on rest two bridges are in progress.
Besides, additional 18 road projects and 2 bridges under PMGSY at an estimated cost of Rs 176.16 crore have also been sanctioned for Kalakote Constituency which will be taken up during year 2017-18.
The Minister directed the concerned authorities to immediately initiate the process for taking up these projects for execution at the earliest.
Chief Engineer PMGSY, officials from allied agencies, Engineers of various wings were also present in the meeting.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
