Shaheen lays foundation stones of 4 road projects worth Rs 19 cr

Excelsior Correspondent

BANIHAL, Sept 1: National Conference leader and MLA Banihal-Gool, Sajjad Shaheen today laid the foundation stones of four major road connectivity projects at Hinjhal, describing road connectivity as the lifeline of development and a basic prerequisite for improving the quality of life of people living in remote and hilly areas.

The projects, which fulfill long-pending demands of the local population, include link road Hinjhal to Bajar Basti Thandishaw via Gila Basti (1.70 km) at Rs 448.53 lakh; link road from Budgam to Khoura (1.75 km) at Rs 410.41 lakh; link road Hinjhal to Gujjar Basti (3.50 km) at Rs 938.30 lakh; and footbridge at Hinjhal Eidgah at Rs 69.26 lakh. The four projects have a combined estimated cost of approximately Rs 18.66 crore and are being taken up under PMGSY and the R&B Department.

Speaking on the occasion, Shaheen said that people residing in remote and difficult-to-access areas of Banihal-Gool had been facing serious hardships for decades due to inadequate road connectivity. He said the absence of proper roads had adversely affected access to education, healthcare, markets and other essential services.

"Road connectivity is not merely an infrastructure requirement, it is a lifeline for the people and a prerequisite for balanced development. Our endeavour is to ensure that no village or habitation in Banihal-Gool remains deprived of basic connectivity," Shaheen said.

He said several other important road projects, including Makerkote-Dardahi Road, Livra-Chaknarwa Road and Ramsoo-Sarbagni Road, have also been taken up. He said work on these projects is expected to commence soon after obtaining the requisite forest clearances, the process for which is presently at the final stage.

Executive Engineers of PMGSY and R&B, Sansar Singh and Mohd Iqbal Ganai, besides Abdul Gani Wani, Ilyas Ahmed Wani, Abdul Rashid Malik, Muneer Ahmed Bhat, Mohd Hanief Khan, Mukhtiar Ahmed Sheikh, Atta Mohd, Shabir Ahmed, along with a number of local party workers and prominent citizens, were present on the occasion.