KATHUA: Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (Roads and Buildings) Department, Anil Kumar Singh on Sunday visited the border villages of Bobiya and Gajnal in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district to review development initiatives under Phase-II of the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP).
During the visit, Singh interacted with residents and local representatives, who raised issues related to infrastructure, agriculture and public services. Among the key demands highlighted was the need to facilitate cultivation of land near the border and provide lift irrigation facilities to support farming and improve livelihoods.
Reviewing projects proposed under VVP Phase-II, the ACS said all identified works for Bobiya and Gajnal would be completed within the stipulated timeframe, according to an official statement.
Addressing a demand for construction of the Manyari-Bhalassan-da-Khoo road, Singh directed the Public Works Department, Hiranagar, to submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) within two weeks for further action.
Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma briefed the ACS on the objectives of the programme and informed him that six villages in Hiranagar and Marheen blocks had been identified under Phase-II of the Vibrant Village Programme.
Village Development Plans for Bobiya and Gajnal were presented by the respective nodal officers, detailing proposed interventions in sectors including rural development, water supply, roads, education, health and power.
The visit was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Mahima Madan, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Hiranagar Phulail Singh, senior engineers of the Public Works Department and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), nodal officers and other district officials.
