Ganpat bridge to be completed in March 2016: Mufti

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 14: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today announced completion of vital Ganpat bridge in Doda in March 2016 and construction of Government Medical College (GMC) at Ghat, about five kilometers from Doda, the work on which will be completed as early as possible.
Mufti Sayeed announced that the Government as a long term measure has decided to provide alternate road link to Doda-Kishtwar from Chenani-Sudh Mahadev-Khelani road link.
Speaking to reporters after inauguration of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Doda this morning, Sayeed said work on prestigious Ganpat bridge will be completed in March 2016. The new bridge will connect Doda town with the National Highway and also provide new link to Bhaderwah, Dessa and Ghat.
Construction of the bridge, which had been mired on controversies, had started way back in 2006. Revised cost of the 263 meters Span-balance bridge is Rs 35.71 crores. It was sanctioned under Rehabilitation Plan of Baglihar Hydroelectric Project keeping in view the realignment of National Highway 1-B and submergence of main National Highway at Pul Doda.
The Chief Minister also visited the construction site of Ganpat bridge and reviewed pace of work with concern officials.
Mufti Sayeed said the development of Chenab Valley region is one of the major priorities of the Government. He announced release of Rs 12 crores for repair and renovation of Batote-Doda road, which is in a critical condition due to sinking and washing away of road stretched at many spots.
“As a long term, measures, the Chenani-Sudh Mahadev-Khelani road will be taken up for providing alternate connectivity to the Chenab Valley,” he said.
Excelsior had exclusively reported recently that the Central Government has given nod to alternate highway from Batote-Chenani-Sudh Mahadev-Khelaini in view of reports that existing Batote-Kishtwar highway will sink in the next few years.
The Chief Minister announced that new Government Medical College for Doda will be constructed at Ghat, about five kilometers from Doda town.
He inspected construction of already sanctioned Medical College. The administration has initiated process for acquisition of 160 kanals of proprietary land for construction of the College. Sayeed directed the Deputy Commissioner, Doda to expedite acquisition proceedings so that work on construction of the College is started at the earliest.
Shakti Parihar, MLA Doda, Dileep Parihar, MLA Bhaderwah, Firdous Tak, MLC, Mehboob Iqbal, DIG Doda-Ramban range Nissar Ahmad, SSP Doda Zahid Manhas and DC Doda Bhupinder Kumar accompanied the Chief Minister during the tour.
Meanwhile, describing districts as the basic units of good governance, Mufti Sayeed said that the present coalition Government is committed to strengthen the core infrastructure like roads and power across the State so that the people feel a semblance of change emerging on the ground.
He said this while undertaking marathon tours of Doda and Kathua districts.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr  Nirmal Singh, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Chaudhary Lal Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B B Vyas and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal, accompanied the Chief Minister.
On his arrival at Doda, Mufti Sayeed inaugurated the additional block of Office-cum-Mini Secretariat Complex of the District Headquarters. He was briefed by the Deputy Commissioner, Bhupinder Kumar, that the total cost of the project is Rs. 10 crore, out of which Rs.4 crore have been spent on the completion of the additional block.
Mufti Sayeed acceded to the request of the Deputy Commissioner for release of Rs. 10 lakh for up-gradation of approach road to the Mini Secretariat and Rs five lakh for purchase of furniture.
The construction of Rs10 crore Office-cum-Mini Secretariat Complex was taken up under the State Task Force Scheme. The Complex will have 40 officers’ rooms and a Conference Hall with a capacity of 200 persons.
On reaching Palahi, in Basohli constituency of Kathua district, Mufti Sayeed took a firsthand view of the tourism-potential of Ranjit Sagar dam. Impressed by the majestic expanse of the dam, the Chief Minister said the area will be developed as the Gateway of J&K’s Leisure Tourism. “Ranjit Sagar dam has tremendous potential to come up as a leisure-cum-adventure and water-sports hub that will become a major tourist attraction for people from all over the country, especially the neighbouring States,” he added.
The Chief Minister also called for dovetailing the famous Basohli Paintings and Arts with its tourism potential so that footfall of heritage lovers gains visibility in the scenic spot.
The Deputy Chief Minister, in his address, said the Government is committed to promote Jammu as an independent tourist destination. He said the Government will highlight several locations in Jammu with tourism potential so that the number of tourists is increased this season.
Later, Mufti Sayeed viewed a concept presentation on ‘Tourist Hub’ in Basohli.
On developing Basohli as major tourist attraction, he called upon the Tourism Department and the concept designers to immediately frame a strategy that brings to fore its huge potential.
The Chief Minister also asked the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, to come up with a proposal for up-gradation of Government Higher Secondary School, Basohli, as a model school.
On his arrival at Kathua, President of Chenab Textile Mills, K C Sharma, made a presentation about their future expansion plans and sought the support of the administration for acquisition of additional chunk of land.
The Chief Minister desired that the expansion programme should lay special emphasis on employment generation, mainly of the local youth. He also undertook a tour of the new yarn unit set by the Chenab Textile Mills.
Expressing his gratitude to the Central Government for sanctioning 1210-metre pre-stressed Double-Lane Keerian-Gandial Bridge over river Ravi in Kathua district at a cost of Rs158 crore, Mufti Sayeed said it will provide succour to the people of two hamlets of Keerian and Gandial, who have to travel 45 kms to reach the district headquarters.
The Chief Minister directed the Public Works Department to immediately start the work on the Bridge so that it is completed within the stipulated timeline of three years.
The State Government had taken up with the Union Road Transport Ministry the construction of the Bridge, which has now been sanctioned under Inter-State Connectivity scheme of CRF (Central Road Fund).
During his tour of Kathua district, the Chief Minister was also accompanied by Minister for Public Works, Floriculture, Gardens & Parks, Syed Altaf Bukhari, MLA Kathua, Rajeev Jasrotia, MLA Hiranagar, Kuldeep Raj, DC Kathua, Shahid Chaudhary and Director Tourism, Jammu, R K Verma.

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