Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Mar 22: Giving fillip to religious tourism in Billawar tehsil of district Kathua, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today laid foundation for widening of Billawar-Sukrala road to be executed by Road & Buildings Department under CRF at an estimated cost of Rs 18 crore in given timeframe of 19 months.
After laying the foundation for widening of road, Dr Singh said that Mata Shri Bala Sundri Ji and Mata Shri Sukrala Devi Ji Shrines have immense tourist potential and efforts are being made for comprehensive development of these shrines by developing tourist infrastructure as well as face-lifting of these shrines besides strengthening of Shrine Board so that the devotees can get all requisite facilities.
Meanwhile, to resolve the long pending demand of people of Mandli area in Billawar tehsil, Dr Nirmal Singh kick-started construction and other allied works of 1X6.3MVA, 33/11 KV receiving station at Mandli.
The station was proposed to cater the demand of regular power supply, voltage regulation and curb energy losses as presently the area is being fed from 33/11KV receiving station at Phinter, Dr Singh said, adding that the proposed station will benefit approximately 40000 souls covering 9 Panchayats: Mandli, Rampur, Rasoo, Durang, Lower/Upper Dungara, Kohag, Malti, Bathri and Lahri.
While addressing a gathering at Mandli, Dr Singh said that in Billawar constituency, tenders for works amounting to Rs 20.40 crore were floated under DDUGJY to augment PDD infra by installing 47 transformers of 25KV capacity and 13 transformers of 100KV capacity besides laying 57 KM of 11000 KV high tension wire.
He added that in the past 3 years, 1000 electric poles have been erected besides 8 new Sub Stations were established and 134 KM of old and worn out electric wire has been replaced with the new electric wire in Billawar to provide quality and 24×7 power supply to the consumers.
The Deputy Chief Minister also held a public meeting at Mandli and interacted with several deputations who projected several demands of their respective areas.
Dr Singh told them that necessary instructions have already been passed to the concerned to ensure timely completion of various developmental initiatives besides ensuring the maintenance of quality works.
“In the past 3 years, the work done in Billawar not only changed the perception of people but also has brought change in the working style of the administration,” Dr Nirmal Singh said, adding that works amounting to Rs 400 crore are still in pipeline.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister inspected the ongoing work at Phinter Work Shop and directed the concerned officials to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in and around the workshop area.
Later, the Deputy Chief Minister reviewed the progress of mega development projects taken up in Billawar, here at a high-level meeting.
Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rohit Khajuria, ADC Billawar Joginder Singh Rai, ACD Rajiv Khajuria, Addl. SP Sanjay Parihar, SE Sandeep Seth, CEO Nirmal Choudhary, BDOs, Tehsildars and other district officers were present on the occasion.
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