Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar today directed the department to accelerate the pace of work on Doda to Kastigarh road to complete it by the end of next year.The Minister issued the directions after listening to the demands and grievances of the people during public-grievances redress camp held here at remote village of Kastigarh.MLA Doda Shakti Raj Parihar, Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B) Sudheer Shah, Deputy Commissioner, Doda Bhawani Rakwal, Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Syed Nayeem Ahmad, Superintending Engineer, PWD (R&B) Circle Doda Niaz Banday, engineers of PWD (R&B), PMGSY and senior offices of other concerned departments were also present at the camp.
The locals apprised the Minister about the problems being faced by them related to road connectivity, healthcare and education. They demanded construction of Kidal to Ganika Kotli road, link road from Barsi to Tapnil, opening of Degree College in the aera and upgrading of health facilities at PHC, Kastigarh.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister informed that the work on vital roads from Banjar Morh to Shamti, Saras to Gagua and Kalsu Morh to Harsingnag have been started and instructions passed for completion of these projects within specified deadlines. He asked the engineers to complete the requisite formalities for initiating the work on Marsoo Bridge.Expressing concern over slow pace of works due to shortage of hot mix plants in Doda, the Minister said the government will look into the possibility of setting up a unit at Kastigarh. He urged the people to protect pubic assets on their own and cooperate with the engineers in completing the road projects in time.The Minister said that three new rooms and laboratory would be constructed in higher secondary School Kastigarh.MLA, Doda Shakti Raj Parihar, in his address said the coalition government has taken various path-breaking steps for equitable development of all parts of the state with special focus on upgrading of the road network, which is pre-requisite for development of any area.Earlier, the Minister also laid the foundation stone of 4 km Nashla - Kanhal- Shiva road which would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 2.87 crore under NABARD. He also inspected the pace of work on Govt. Polytechnic College building at Beoli being execution by JKPCC at a cost of Rs 13 crore.