Saroori visits Sohal, bordering HP - Assesses public problems, inaugurates Sarthal-Marwar-Janwas, Sarthal-Ghan roads

Saroori visits Sohal, bordering HP - Assesses public problems, inaugurates Sarthal-Marwar-Janwas, Sarthal-Ghan roads

                Sohal, Kishtwar April 13-Minister for Roads & Buildings, Mr. G.M.Saroori today visited Sohal, the remotest village of Paddar, bordering Himachal Pradesh, and assessed, on-the-spot, public problems and reviewing development works coming up in the area.

Mr Saroori achieved the distinction of being the first Minister, who ever visited this village after then Chief Minister, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad. 

Braving tough terrain, Mr Saroori also visited the adjoining villages of Sarthal, Angara and Kaban, had a feel of the problems confronted to the people and addressed large public gatherings.

Establishing a personal chord with the people, the Minister said that the Government is seized of the problems confronted to the people living in remote and far flung areas, assuring that these will be redressed in a phased manner. He said road connectivity is on high agenda of the Government, adding that every part of the State would be connected with each other through a viable road network.  He instructed the Chief Engineer PMGSY to come up with a proposal for construction of 25 km Sohal-Ungaie road.

Mr Saroori announced that a cradle bridge would be constructed over Chinab river at Sohal and instructed engineers to start ground work so that the project is taken up early. He asked sought a proposal for construction of 25 km Sohal-Ungaie road via Kund to bring close the people living in scattered areas of Sohal.

While addressing people at Sarthal, Angara, Mr. Saroori said that the Government is committed to improve the basic amenities of the people, particularly, living in rural and hilly areas. Describing people as the best judges for analyzing progress registered on ground, he asserted that revolutionary measures taken by the present coalition Government would definitely transform the socio economic status of the people, living in far flung areas. He said the Government has launched a massive development plan in the State and the endeavors are yielding better results on ground.

The Minister said the Public Distribution System would be made more effective in the remote areas and directed the officers of CA&PD to ensure availability of adequate quantity of ration on the depots to avoid inconvenience to the people in these areas.

Referring to the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme, the Minister said that having immense potential for income and employment generation, the scheme is being implemented vigorously in order to cover more people in the rural areas. He said construction of ponds for harvesting rainy water and using it for irrigation purposes can provide jobs to skilled and unskilled labour force thereby irrigating facilities to the farmers.

Mr. Saroori announced that a Tourist Reception Center would be set up at Sarthal for which Centre has already sanctioned Rs. 2 crore. He said Sarthal would shortly be brought on the tourist map of the country. He said a park and a guest house would be constructed at Sarthal as a part of this development programme.  

He announced that Hasti-Ghan road would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 40 crore. Apart from this, Ghan-Chandali, Bimalnag-Bangar and Drabshalla-Tatani would be developed a tourist circuit to boost the tourism in the area, the Minister added.  Mr. Saroori inaugurated 4 km Sarthal-Ghan road, a part of this the tourist circuit, completed at a cost of Rs. 4.50 crore. He said that a health center and veterinary would also be established at Ghan, Chandali soon.

Mr. Saroori said that the liberal funding by the Centre has opened new hopes of development in the State. He said the Congress High Command, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad are keen to see all round development in the State, adding the mega projects approved by the Centre have far reaching impact on the socio economic status of the people. 

Besides  laying foundation of 3.5 km Marwar-Mai Gamrah road, being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 4,83 crore, Mr. Saroori inaugurated 4 km Sarthal-Marwar- Janwas road completed, under NABARD, at a cost of Rs. 3.50 crore. He also dedicated a water reservoir to the people at Sarthal, having 10,000   gallon capacity per day. 

Responding to the demands of the people of Kaban for construction of micro hydle power projects on Kaban Nallah, for which the survey has been conducted during the tenure of Mr Azad, Mr. Saroori assured them that the matter would be taken up with the concerned Union Power Ministry for obtaining approval of the projects. He said once the projects are sanctioned, these would become viable means of employment to the locals and mitigate the power problems in the area.

Mr. Saroori, while inspecting work on the District Administrative Complex, Kishtwar, coming up at a cost of Rs. 40 crore,  was informed that Rs. 14 crore have been expended on the project so far and the complex would be ready by 2012.

Mr. Saroori appreciated the performance of R&B and JKPCC for taking forward the development plans in the district. He asked them to gear up the tempo of the work and try to complete the projects ahead of their schedules.   

Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Chief Engineer, PMGSY and other senior officers of various departments accompanied the Minister.