Srinagar, Mar 12: Giving connectivity in the State a major push, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today laid the foundation of several road upgradation and widening projects in the districts of Baramulla and Bandipora valuing around Rs 60 crore.The Chief Minister laid the foundation of widening and upgradation of 15 kilometre long Hygam-Tarzoo, Sopore road at Hygam. To be built over a cost of Rs. 14.15 crore, the two lane road would have a carriage way of around 4 metres. The road project would also include Choora-Wagub road stretch and touch the Sopore bypass at Chanakhan, thereby giving the catchment areas an improved access to Sopore town and National Highway. Interacting with the locals on the occasion, the Chief Minister hoped the coming season would be a year of infrastructure development in the State. She said many road and tunnel projects have been planned for execution in the State which would not only connect areas and people but also bring about a substantial economic turnaround to these areas and people.
Mehbooba Mufti said the Government has flagged sectors like infrastructure development, tourism and horticulture as thrust areas which can get the local economy a boost and help in tiding over the problem of unemployment in the State. She said Tarzoo-Hygam area is a famous attraction for bird watchers and Nature lovers and her Government wants to tap the potential by formulating a structured apparatus for the area. With the completion of the road project, she said, the tourism potential of the area would get a boost besides giving locals an improved connect to the National Highway.
Minister for Horticulture, Syed Basharat Bukhari; Minister for PWD, Naeem Akhtar besides senior officers of divisional and district administration besides a large number of people were present on the occasion.
At Sopore, Mehbooba Mufti laid the foundation stone of widening and upgradation of 10 KMs long Ladoora-Achabal road being executed at a cost of Rs 17.11 crore.
Legislators, Haji Abdul Rasheed and Yawar Dillawar Mir were present on the occasion.
On the occasion, people in large numbers met the Chief Minister and brought several of their problems into her notice. They demanded augmentation of drinking water supply in the town, completion of work on the Sub District Hospital, Sopore and relocating Girls Higher Secondary school to an appropriate spacious place.
The Chief Minister listened to the demands put forth and assured to look into them.
Mehbooba Mufti also laid the foundation of upgradation of Sopore-Shiva road at Dangarpora. The 24 KM long stretch of road would be constructed at a cost of Rs 17.65 crore. She directed the executing agencies to complete the project within 18 months so that people of the area get the benefits of this improved connectivity at the earliest.
Minister for PWD(R&B), Naeem Akhtar, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan; IG Kashmir zone, SJM Gillani; DIG, NKR, Nitish Kumar; Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Dr Nasir Ahmad Naqash, SSP, Baramulla, Mir Imtiyaz Hussain and other senior officers accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.
Later, the Chief Minister visited Bandipora and laid the foundation of 13.20 kilometre long Bandipora-Arin-Nadihal road which would be executed at a cost of Rs 10.56 crore. The project is expected to be completed next year. The road project, on completion, would benefit 32 thousand souls of 12 villages of the catchment areas.
Minister for PWD(R&B), Naeem Akhtar; legislators, Usman Majeed and Yasir Reshi besides officers of district administration were present on the occasion.
Mehbooba Mufti also inaugurated the newly constructed conference Hall at DC office complex built over a cost of Rs. 4.45 crore. On the occasion, she reviewed the status of developmental works in the district with the officers of district administration also. (KNS)