Excelsior Correspondent
NAGROTA, Oct 13: Highlighting the huge potential of Nagrota as a satellite township, Provincial President National Conference Devender Singh Rana today reiterated his determination to explore all avenues for its development and promotion as Nava Jammu.
Being close to the winter capital, the area has remained unexplored despite the fast expansion taking place around the city over the years, Mr Rana told workers of National Conference Women Wing at a meeting, adding that a beginning has already been made ever since his election as Member Legislative Council.
Mr Rana said though a modest initiative has been taken to put necessary infrastructure and utility services in place during the past few years yet the area provides vistas of opportunity to meet the housing requirements of the fast expanding city. “If Jammu can expand down below Udheywalla on the one side and upwards Bari Brahamna on the other side, there is no reason why Nagrota becomes a new and promising destination keeping in view its close proximity to the city”, he added.
The Provincial President expressed happiness over the fast growth of Jammu and said satellite townships in the periphery are imperative for realising the objective of Greater Jammu. He reiterated the need for drawing a cohesive and a futuristic plan for developing Nagrota as a residential, commercial and economic hub. “The area is strategically placed on the National Highway and has been a virtual gateway to the most revered pilgrimage of Mata Vaishno Devi and tourist destinations of Kashmir and Ladakh”, he said adding that this calls for added attention to make it a model centre with eateries and recreational facilities.
Mr Rana unfolded his vision about Nagrota being developed as Nava Jammu and said the people of the area have shown great interest in realising this dream. “Innovative suggestions are pouring in from the residents, who speaks of their deep urge to have Nagrota developed on faster pace”, he said and vowed that he will not shirk his responsibilities in achieving this objective.
Spelling out administrative and developmental objectives achieved over the years, Mr Rana, who is also National Conference candidate from the constituency, said that a network of roads has been undertaken with construction of a vital bridge which is important for connectivity. He said other developmental sectors too have got impetus during recent years which have qualitatively changed the lifestyle of the people.
The Provincial President exuded confidence that like other areas of the State, Nagrota too will flourish and prosper under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“The sustained peace and exhaustive development during the past six years has unnerved the adversaries, who finding themselves agenda-less, were spreading canards and creating misgivings by indulging in disinformation campaign”, he said while cautioning the people to remain vigilant against their machinations which may include generating mistrust between the communities and regions for votes.
Mr Rana said National Conference is well poised to frustrate the nefarious designs of vested interests who have been beneficiaries of dividing people. “We will fail them and foil their machinations with the cooperation of the people who stand for peace, amity and tranquillity”, he said while maintaining that his party will not allow the developmental agenda to get derailed.
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