Fulfilling the long pending demand of people, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat today announced two vital bridges in Raipur-Domana constituency to connect dozens of villages in the vicinity of Mishriwala-Bawa Talab, Simbliwala, Burn etc. The new bridges will be constructed over Ranbir Canal at Mishriwala and Simbliwala to facilitate thickly populated localities across the Canal. The already existing small culverts in the area do not cater to the needs of the locals and need for dependable and upgraded bridges was badly felt by the locals for the past over many years. Addressing a largely attended public meeting at village Simbliwala in Raipur-Domana constituency near here today, the Minister said that it is endeavor of the BJP-PDP Government to ensure better infrastructural facilities in all parts of the State with special thrust to rural and far-flung areas, for which a comprehensive plan has been devised. He said road sector is key to the overall development and prosperity of people and Government has been paying focused attention towards this vital area after taking over the reign of the State. Expressing happiness after announcing the bridges, the Minister said that the facilities will facilitate thousands of residents of over two- dozen villages located across the Canal. He issued on-the-spot instructions to the engineers of the concerned departments to immediately start the work and complete the projects in a shortest possible time. He said multifarious activities have been increased in the area and demand of bridges was quite genuine said the Minister.
While updating the status of other important road projects in the constituency, the Minister said that the important alternate road connecting Jammu with Akhnoor-Poonch-Rajouri via Bantalab-Amb Gharota has already been sanctioned for widening under CRF programme at an estimated cost of Rs. 19 crore and work on this vital project is in full swing. He said the blacktopping of completed stretches will be commenced soon to provide immediate succor to the people who are facing difficulty due to constructional activities.Similarly, the work on link road from Kote to Kala Kam-Burn Pata under NABARD is also in progress with the involvement of Rs. 4.91 crore. The link road from Purkhu Migrant Camp to Taku Chack has also been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs. 2.50 crore under NABARD. On completion of these projects there will be great relief to the people of this area which otherwise remained neglected by the previous regimes, said the Minister.Responding to the demand of the locals, the Minister also announced Rs. 5 lakh from his Constituency Development Funds for the up-gradation/beautification of pond at village Ratti Chappadi. He also assured to examine all other demands of the area on priority, which are related to the overall development of the people. He issued specific instructions to the functionaries of the PHE Department to monitor the regular supply of drinking water. He directed for formulating a foolproof plan to meet the drinking water needs of the Kandi belt besides directing to conceive a project to lift the water from Chenab River for the vulnerable areas. The sectoral officers of various departments, Sarpanchs, Panchs and prominent leaders of the area were also present on the occasion.