Reaffirming government’s commitment towards ensuring durable asset creation in all sectors, Minister for Forests, Environment & Ecology, Rajiv Jasrotia has termed road connectivity as key towards progress and prosperity of any area and stressed on constructing quality roads as it helps in fine-tuning regional economy by enhancing employment generation opportunities.The Minister was addressing a large public gathering after laying foundation for bituminous layer on 27 km Parole-Narote Jaimal Singh (NJS) road, in tehsil Nagri of Kathua which would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore by the Border Roads Organization (BRO). It will connect important villages of the area like Narot Jaimal Singh, Kullian, Sundar Chak, Fathepur, Chappar Chumbar and Lakhnot besides it will serve as a feeder road for Palli Morh-Parole-Janial-Bamial and Parole-Korepunnu-Phulpur. Rajiv Jasrotia asserted that durable roads and enhanced infrastructure tops the development agenda of the present dispensation and focus is being laid on upgrading and improving the road network in rural and remote areas.“Emphasis is being laid on improving road network by linking internal roads with National Highways to give a further fillip to development activities in the state”, he added.
Forest Minister emphasized that area of Kathua like Nagri has witnessed progress. Bridge in village Pandori, widening of Nagri-Palli and OSK road, re-tendering of Khokhayal check dam and new SDH at Nagri will not only improve the life of local populace but also help in improving the socio-economic status of the people.Underscoring various development works in the Kathua constituency, Rajiv said that road projects worth Rs 20 crore were sanctioned to improve the connectivity web of the area whereas similar amount has been sanctioned by the dispensation for irrigation canals so that farmers of the area can avail better irrigation facilities.To fulfill the long pending demand of Nagri residents, Rajiv announced one community hall and a park on 22 kanal of land for which Rs 62 lakh have been earmarked and a playground will be constructed provided appropriate land should be identified by the locals and the administration. He also announced one Timber sale depot for Nagri residents.He further announced that black topping in first phase on all major roads of the constituency have been completed and work on Changran-Palli road will commence soon.The Minister also gave various on-spot directions to officers aimed at improving service delivery to the people besides directed for ensuring effective planning and execution of works for result oriented development and stressed upon officers to properly plan the works and execute them in time bound manner.Later, the Minister laid foundation of 2 km road from Palli Morh to Taryahara to be executed by PWD (R&B) at a cost of Rs 20 lakh and kick started black topping on 2 km Lacchipur link road costing Rs 90 lakh to be completed by PWD (R&B) besides black topping work at Old Bus Stand of Kathua worth Rs 50 lakh was also kick started by the Minister.Among others Commandant and OC of BRTF, ADC Kathua, Ghanshyam Singh Bali, ACR Jatinder Mishra, Tehsildar Nagri, DFOs, DySP HQ, Engineers and other officers from various departments accompanied the Minister.