“Connecting rural with urban areas through development of road infrastructure is imperative for economic upliftment of rural population”, this was stated by MLA Doda, Mr. Shakti Raj Parihar today while laying foundation of Dranga-Mangota link road in remote Marmat Block of District Doda.The 5km road sanctioned under NABARD Scheme shall be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 5.31 crore and will provide connectivity to over 6000 souls living in the area, this was informed by Executive Engineer PWD, Division Doda. “The present Government is making concerted efforts to make judicious use of resources meant for developmental activities and the said link road is another initiative in that direction’’, said MLA Doda, while addressing the gathering after laying the foundation.Later, the MLA also toured the area and held a series of interactive sessions with people, who presented before him various demands including additional power transformer in the area, potable drinking water facility, and infrastructure augmentation in health-centre.Meanwhile, XEn PDD Doda was directed to strengthen power distribution system by supplying additional transformer to the area. The MLA while responding to demands of the people said that new water supply schemes have also been sanctioned for the area and work on these shall start soon.