Today News Line JK

Union MoS Gen Singh visits Doda

*Gen Singh, inspects Khalleni Tunnel; Meets Public; Reviews progress in road infrastructure; Inagurates/ Lays foundation stone of developmental works.*

 _Calls everyone to be the part of accelerated development._ 

Doda, October 31;
Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Civil Aviation, General VK Singh visited Doda today as a part of ongoing Public outreach programme.

He reviewed the progress and performance of NHIDCL, R&B and GREF in the Conference hall of DC office complex Doda.  He also took a detailed review of Pakage wise progress on alternate NH 244. Regarding sanctioned Chatergalla tunnel which shall connect Doda via Bhaderwah with Kathua District, it was informed that this tunnel can give all weather road connectivity and reduces the present distance by 28 Kms. Minister was informed that all the road projects under NHIDCL, GREF, PWD and PMGSY are being monitored regularly so that they can be dedicated to the public in shortest possible time.   A presntation about the District was made by Vishesh Paul Mahajan, District Development Commissioner and Colonel Sandeep Sudhere ,ED NHIDCL and  Brigadier Tej Pal, Chief Engineer Sampark  gave  detailed presentations about ongoing Projects  in the district. The meeting was attended by DDC Chairman Doda Dhananter Singh Kotwal, DDC Vice Chairperson Sangeeta Rani Bhagat, ,SSP Doda Abdul Qayoom, Chief Engineer PWD Jammu Prakash Chander Tanuj, ADDC Doda Pran Singh, ADC Doda Dr Ravi Kumar Bharti, CPO Doda, ACD Doda, ACR Doda, SE PWD Doda,SE Hydraulics,Executive Engineers and other concerned officials.
Gen Singh instructed the executing agencies to stick to the timeline and ensure the completion of NH244 and other projects within the given time frame. He asked the district administration to send the details of bottlenecks in all the projects held up due to forest clearance or non acquisition of land under alignment so that the same can be taken up with concerned authorities for early redressal. Union Minister also administered Ekta and Vigilance pledge at the conference hall during the review meeting. 

During his visit he inspected ongoing work on upcoming Khellani tunnel, he was informed that 36% of the work on both the tubes is complete and tentative date of completion of the tunnel project is 24/04/2023. Minister directed the engineers to get the expertise of best experts and use contemporary technology to give public a state of the art infrastructure without harming the ecology of the area.

Minister inaugurated link road to Nai Dangri, constructed by PWD, at a cost of 191 lakhs, which shall meet the needs of approximately 10 villages . He also laid foundation stone of water supply scheme Pranu under JJM with estimated cost 422.69 lakhs which shall benifit 1495 souls of Shahpura and Malnai villages. Gen Singh called upon everyone to be the part of accelerated development and contribute for the upliftment of their area. He said that Pani Simitis be given charge of micro level management of all the water supply scheme for better management. 

Union MoS inspected various stalls highlighting the individual and community welfare schemes run by different departments, at Dakbunglow Doda. He Distributed tractors among the beneficiaries of Agriculture department. He also distributed power tillers, sanction letters of Water Harvesting tanks and Wermicompost among the beneficiaries of Horticulture department. 

Gen VK Singh also held an interactive session with elected public representatives and delegations of District Development Council and Block Development Council members, other Panchayati Raj Institutions, and Urban Local Bodies members and councilors. He assured the public representatives and delegations to address their genuine issues and demands in a time bound manner.

He was informed that District Administration Doda has taken initiative of promoting adventure toursim in the district. Recent inauguration of Chinab Water Rafting Festival and development of various tacking routes in the district are part of the initiative. He expressed his satisfaction and said that it is encouraging to see the administration, line departments and the public representatives are working together for the progress and development of the area.