Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Thursday witnessed a series of government announcements relating to infrastructure, connectivity, wildlife conflict relief and industrial development across the Union Territory.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Mohan Lal, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary informed the House that the road from Sua Number-1 to Pargwal in Akhnoor will be taken up for upgradation and blacktopping by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). He said the road is proposed to be formally transferred from the Public Works (R&B) Department to BRO and the process is underway.
The Deputy Chief Minister also told the House that preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed 8-kilometre Razdan Pass tunnel in Bandipora district will begin shortly. The tunnel is aimed at providing all-weather connectivity to the border constituency of Gurez and the proposal has already been endorsed by the Ministry of Defence.
On another query by MLA Ali Mohammad Dar, Choudhary said the drainage system along the Budgam Ring Road is functioning satisfactorily. He informed that adequate drainage provisions were incorporated at the DPR stage, including 148 box culverts, 107 Hume Pipe Culverts and 24 minor nallah bridges, ensuring proper disposal of surface and sub-surface water. He added that temporary water accumulation during construction has been resolved and there is presently no persistent water-logging at locations such as Khanda, Kuzwaria, Bugam and Wathora.
The Deputy Chief Minister further informed the House that 13 land patches comprising 4,142.43 kanal have been transferred to the Industries and Commerce Department for establishment of industrial estates in Anantnag district at locations including Pahalgam, Bijbehara, Dooru, Shangus and Mattan. However, he said no industrial estate currently exists in the Anantnag West constituency and no proposal is under consideration there. He reiterated that the government aims to strengthen the industrial sector to generate employment opportunities for youth.
