Minister for Public Works Naeem Akhtar today laid the foundation of Bridge over river Devaka at Utterbehani under CRF to be constructed at the cost of Rs. 12 crore and widening/improvement of Utterbehani Purmandal road via Mandal at the cost of Rs. 18 crore to be completed by March, 2019.Member Parliament, Jammu-Poonch constituency Jugal Kishore Sharma and MLA, Samba Devinder Kumar Manyal were also present on the occasion.The Minister also inspected the ongoing work of bridge on river Devak in Deon executed under PMGSY and directed the engineers to complete the work within the set timeline.While addressing a public meeting in Purmandal, the Minister informed that the PWD (R&B) is executing works amounting to Rs. 125 crore in Samba constituency only. Samba would embark on a new journey of development with the roads that are being constructed in the district under CRF, PMGSY, NABARD and state sector schemes, he added.“These roads would prove to be a blessing for the lakhs of tourists thronging to the holy shrines in Utterbehani and Purmandal every year,” the Minister said, adding that there is a need to maintain environment of peace and brotherhood for the overall development of the state. He urged the people to become caretakers of public assets and keep proper check on the quality of works.
MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, in his speech, informed that the Centre would soon sanction the road project worth Rs. 98 crore for connecting Samba-Utterbehani-Purmandal-Mansar-Surinsar to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra.Stressing on the development initiatives taken by the government, the MP informed that the work on Jammu-Akhnoor National Hoghway would be started soon. He said that constituency wise development projects are being prepared by the government and sent to the Centre for sanction for ensuring equitable development of all constituencies in the state.Speaking on the occasion, MLA, DK Manyal informed that the work on Purmandal Hospital would be completed soon at the cost of Rs. 71 lakh. The PHC, Purmandal is the only such health centre that has an ultrasound machine, he added.He further said that the road connectivity has brought schools, hospitals and other vital establishments closer to the people and the widening of Utterbehani-Purmandal road would definitely increase the flow of devotees to the holy shrines of Lord Shiva.Chief Engineer Sudheer Shah, Superintending Engineer Des Raj and Executive Engineers of the department were also present on the occasion.