Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 12: Chairman, Sustainable Development Council (SDC), Ashok Sharma, Ex MLA, has demanded that the work on the construction of Jammu-Kalakote-Rajouri-Poonch prestigious Rail Link Project be commenced at an earliest and completed within a fixed time frame to open up the twin border districts for rapid socio-economic and tourism development.
In a press statement issued here, today Sharma said that Railway Line should be laid in such a manner that it connects holy shrines of Shiv Khori, Shahdrasharif, Budha Amarnathji, Sain Mera Ali, Sain Allah Bakash and Nagali Sahib, besides the coal reserves and limestone rich belts of Kalakote and Mandi and sulphur water springs of Tatapani.
He said that alignment of the of rail link should cover Sunderbani and Nowshera and shrine of Shri Mangla Mata, ancient temple of Channi Prat and historical spot of Chingus on Mugal road.
He further said that besides promoting pilgrim, adventure and leisure tourism in the area, it would largely help in setting up cement plants and re-commissioning of Thermal Power House Kalakote and start and completion of seven local micro-hydel cum irrigation projects formulated two of which were notified for global tenders to suffice the electricity requirements of the people of these districts.
He added that rail link would also facilitate setting up of industries, establishment of small and micro hydel power projects and generation of about fifty thousand employment avenues for skilled and semi-skilled local youth, besides conservation of fuel energy.
The cross LOC trade would also get tremendous boost by bringing Poonch and Rajouri on railway map of the country, he maintained.
Sharma also demanded bringing Poonch and Rajouri districts on air map by developing airports at Rajouri and Poonch to provide much needed faster connectivity particularly in present day scenario of pandemic to these ignored areas.
He urged the right thinking people to unite on one platform to strengthen the struggle in this regard.
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