Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice today flagged off the much awaited Jammu-Poonch Helicopter Service fulfilling the long pending demand of the area.The Helicopter Service will connect the people of the area with rest of the state especially during adverse weather conditions besides giving flip to the tourism in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri.The first flight that was flagged off today from DPL Poonch carried five passengers from Poonch to Jammu.MLA Haveli (Poonch) Shah Mohammad Tantray, MLC Pradeep Sharma, DC Poonch Tariq Ahmad Zargar, SSP Poonch Rajiv Panday, ADC BAsharat Hussain, ACR Ashraf Chaudhary and other senior officers and senior citizens of the district.The residents of Poonch have been suffering owing to connectivity issues in past. Being far away from the winter capital Jammu, the people especially patients had to face many hardships. The helicopter service has come as a major relief for the people.
Speaking on the occasion, minister said with the start of the helicopter, the long pending demand of the people have been fulfilled by the personal efforts of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.Speaking on the occasion Minister said the current dispensation is committed to develop Poonch district on modern lines and increase job avenues in the district by giving flip to the tourism sector in the district.He said former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed took revolutionary steps within a short span of time for the development of twin districts Poonch and Rajouria which include the opening of Poonch-Chakkan-da-Bagh road for cross border trade, opening of a university in Rajouri, connect the twin districts with Kashmir through Mughal road and other developmental projects. “These historical initiatives became the bedrock for the development of these hitherto neglected districts. He said Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti continued the mission of her late father and is committed to develop the twin district on modern lines.He said the helicopter service will act as another milestone for boosting the tourism of the district and will boost the economy of the area thereby helping to boost the economy.
He further said that providing relief to the people of far of region is the top priority of the government that is why government under the leader ship of Chief Minister is focussing on inter-regional connectivity through surface by developing better roads and air connectivity to far off regions of state like Kistwar, Paddar, Gurez, Rajouri and Poonch has been started by the state government.He instructed the district administration to make the public aware about scheduled dates and times of take so as to avoid any inconvenience to the passengers.The Minister later visited District Court Complex Poonch and interacted with the lawyers and judicial staff. Lawyers on the occasion raised various issues with regard to the development of infrastructure in the court including additional rooms, lawyers’ chambers, library and furniture. They also appealed for establishment of consumer court and District Sessions Court in the district. Minister assured the lawyers that infrastructure will be developed in limited available resources.He also appealed the lawyers and judicial staff to work tirelessly to ensure justice is delivered to the aggrieved persons. He assured full cooperation to the lawyers.