Avtar Bhat
BILLAWAR, (KATHUA) Oct 18: Union Minister of State in PMO with independent charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh today made it categorical that militancy will at no cost be allowed to affect the developmental process in the State.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of inaugurating 259 meter bridge over river Bhini near, here, today, Dr Jitendra Singh said the developmental projects will never be allowed to stop though disruption of peace slowed the pace of development.
He also urged the State Government to expedite the execution of Centrally funded roads and projects so that the State does not lag behind other States of country which are fast proceeding on the path of development under Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s Government.
Dr Singh said that peace is imperative for development as both share reciprocal relationship. “If peace gets disrupted developmental process slows down and on the other hand if development is totally stopped peace gets disrupted and there is unrest, so we can’t wait for last gun to fall silent”, he added.
Maintaining that the holistic development of entire country and upliftment of poor and weaker sections of the society is the main agenda of Modi Government, Dr Singh said therefore development process in the State will be carried on and militancy will not be allowed to derail it.
He said that militants as well as their supporters are under tremendous pressure and they are on the run. The credit for this not only goes to security forces but Special Operation Group (SOG) of J&K Police who have done a commendable job in exerting pressure on militants and their supporters who have eaten up the vitals of the society for three decades now, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh while addressing the inaugural function of the bridge asked the Jammu & Kashmir State Government to expedite the execution of Centrally funded roads and other projects. He said, issues like delayed preparation of DPRs, prolonged procedure of land acquisition, delay in forest clearance and floating of tenders were among the common factors responsible for delay in most of the Centrally funded road projects and bridges in the State.
The Union Minister, however, congratulated the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for timely completion of this bridge and also recalled that the landmark “Atal Setu” bridge at Basohli, which is the first of its kind in North India, was also completed by BRO before time, which made it possible to be dedicated to the public on the eve of former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birthday after whom the bridge had been named.
Dr Jitendra Singh noted that while most of the road and bridge projects under BRO are progressing at the expected pace, the roads and bridges funded through Central Road Fund (CRF) or Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which are to be executed by the State authorities, have not progressed at the expected pace and this causes displeasure among the people. He referred to the example of Udhampur-Ghordi road which was sanctioned from CRF over one year ago through personal intervention of Union Road and Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari but, the State Public Works Department is yet to start the work in spite of repeated requests and reminders.
With the Bhini river bridge being dedicated to the public today, the connectivity will increase between Pathankot and Udhampur and in near future with the commissioning of the Sundrikot tunnel close to this bridge, the connectivity of this place with Kathua will also become easier and less time – consuming, he said. The DPR for Sundrikot tunnel has been submitted to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), he added.
Another game – changer for the Billawar-Bani region, said Dr Jitendera Singh, would be the Chattergala tunnel, for which the approval has been obtained after considerable effort and will be jointly carried forward by BRO and NHAI.
This tunnel, he said, has been included in “approved” list of the BRO but considering its high budget, it has to go through different stages of surveys, land acquisition, construction tender etc., which may take many years. However, once this tunnel becomes operational, the travel time between Doda-Bhaderwah to Basohli-Billawar will be reduced to just about 5 hours and it will provide an all – weather road option to boost trade and jobs.
In addition, Dr Jitendra Singh also referred to Sudhmahadev Highway connecting Doda which will offer another option and for that project, the survey and other formalities has begun.
On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh announced Rs 1 crore of MPLAD fund to be spent in Billawar. Out of this, he informed, funds have already been released for playground at Baddu, lanes and drains, community halls and Mandli and Galak. In addition, he said, solar power station has been installed at Balashewar School in Finter, Billawar and computers have been installed for students.
Dr Jitendra Singh announced Rs. 20 lakh for setting up a Dental section in the Billawar Hospital. He also earmarked another Rs. 25 lakh to build a community hall in Billawar or the location as per the preference of the local population.
In the last three years of the Modi Government, Dr Jitendra Singh said, some of the projects which have been held up in the last several years has been pushed forwarded. These, for example, include revival of Shahpur-Kandi Dam project, Rs. 2800 crore PMGSY roads package for J&K, out of which half is meant for Udhampur – Kathua – Doda Lok Sabha Constituency, he added.
He also referred to Kediyan Gadyal bridge at Lakhanpur. North India’s first ever Bio -tech park at Kathua, new Passport Office for Kathua and Udhampur, Radio Station for Udhampur and most importantly, Rs. 170 crore river Devika cleaning project under NRCP (National River Conservation Project) for Udhampur.
MLA Bani & BJP Billawar- Basohli district president Jeevan Lal, Additional DG BRO, Gen Mahajan, Chief Engineer BRO R P Singh, BJP Kathua district president Pandit Prem Nath Dogra and DC Kathua Ramesh Kumar were among the prominent persons present on the occasion.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
