Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh today laid the foundation stone of transformer repair workshop at Phinter to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs.1.60 crores.This provincial level state of the art workshop will have a capacity to repair 10-15 transformers daily and will cater to the areas of Ramkote, Basholi, Bani and Billawar. The workshop will also have a transformer reserve bank with 50 transformers to ensure adequate backup.Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister said that the workshop will help to provide immediate repair facility while ensuring that power supply is not interrupted and compromised. It will reduce workload on workshop at Kathua to a great extent.Referring to the initiatives taken to augment power supply in the area, Deputy Chief Minister said that 55 transformers have been upgraded and about Rs.1 crore has been spent on strengthening HT/LT network in the area. Later, Dr. Nirmal Singh also kick starts work on 2.73 km road from Riar to Baggan at an estimated cost of Rs.150 lakh under PMGSY.He said that government is making all out efforts to improve road connectivity to ensure equitable development of all the regions .
Deputy Chief Minister also inspected the ongoing work of indoor stadium at Billawar and directed the concerned engineers to ensure completion of the project in stipulated time frame with proper quality monitoring. He asked concerned agencies to complete the work of retaining wall and approach road on priority.Deputy Chief Minister also met various deputations from Malti, Bhader and Parmala who apprised him with their problems and demands.People demanded immediate completion of pending work on water supply schemes, augmentation of PDD infrastructure, improving road network, addressing liabilities under MGNREGA, compensation for crop damage and widow pension.While responding to the projected demands, Deputy Chief Minister directed the concerned officers to take requisite steps to redress the issue of the people in time bound manner. He said that by 2018 Billawar constituency shall be completely electrified and asked the people to regularize their electric connection to assist the government in its endeavors.Meanwhile Deputy Chief Minister also ordered attachment of XEN REW to Jammu for dereliction of duties.ADC Billawar, Joginder Singh Rai, ACD Kathua, tehsildars, BDOs, CEO Kathua, SDPO Billawar , officers of concerned departments and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.