New Delhi: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today laid the foundation stone for various important road projects in Udhampur (J&K) being constructed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
On the occasion, he said that the PMGSY, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has revolutionised the road connectivity in Udhampur district through which the district has achieved a milestone in the country as the district is among the top three districts of the country in terms of road connectivity parameter. He said that areas like Dudu Basantgarh, Lati Dhuna and various other far-flung areas are some of the neglected blocks and areas which have been connecting with all-weather roads.
Dr Jitendra Singh informed that a highway is being constructed between Sudh Mahadev in the Udhampur district and Khilani in the Doda district. The minister, while lauding the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said that projects like the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Tunnel, Asia’s largest, or the commitment to achieve the target of Viksit Bharat by 2047, are aimed towards this goal.
The minister, while lauding the work in the road transport sector, said that connectivity is the backbone of the overall development of the nation. He said that roads in Udhampur and its adjoining districts have brought the sector on the tourism map at the national level. He said, specially the scope of religious pilgrimage, in view of the Sudh Mahadev Temple, remained unexplored during the last 70 years and the present Government, by increasing the road network, has successfully explored all such avenues.
Dr Singh said that with these schemes, the economy of the area, especially the Udhampur district, has witnessed a boom. He appreciated the district administration and the officers implementing PMGSY and said that they all are doing social service and playing their role to achieve the target of developing country because road connectivity is helpful in the effective implementation of schemes for education, health, social welfare and women empowerment sectors.
During the program, the e-foundation was laid for the upgradation of the road from T-01 Padraka to Chattari in block Kulwantha in district Udhampur with an approximate cost of Rs 693.80 lakhs, having a length of 4.6 km and serving thousands of residents. Another e-foundation was laid for the upcoming gradation of the road from T-16 Chopra Shop to Sunari Kambal Danga in block Udhampur, district Udhampur with an approximate cost of Rs 1751.23 lakhs and having a length of 12.925 kms. The Minister also laid an e-foundation stone for the upgradation of the road from T-02 Tikri to Charyee via Sukha Talab in block Tikri, district Udhampur with an approximate cost of Rs 1269.25 lakhs and having a length of 9.650 km.
