CM Omar Lays Foundation for Key Projects in Central Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday reviewed the progress of major development works in Ganderbal and inaugurated a series of road, power and water supply projects across the district, while also laying the foundation stones for multiple high-value infrastructure schemes aimed at improving civic amenities and expanding winter tourism.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the upgradation and widening of the Dak Bungalow Fatehpora–Gadoora road worth Rs 5.2 crore and the upgradation of link roads in Sherpathri Block costing Rs 8.9 crore. He also e-inaugurated three major water supply projects: a 70,000-gallon slow sand filtration plant at WSS Gagangeer completed at a cost of Rs 119.16 lakh; a 30,000-gallon filtration plant at WSS Fraw Haknar costing Rs 108.09 lakh; and a 60,000-gallon filtration plant at WSS Rezan with allied infrastructure completed for Rs 121.20 lakh.

Later, he laid foundation stones for several upcoming projects including a 4 MGD common pre-settling tank and revamping of the Ganderbal Town water treatment plant costing Rs 384 lakh; a 33/11 KV, 1×6.3 MVA receiving station at Wangath, Kangan worth Rs 417 lakh; the upgradation of the Spring Naga Mohallah Shallar–Dab road at Batpora, Lar valued at Rs 181.06 lakh; a Model Floriculture Centre at Nunnar (FPO Park) costing Rs 172 lakh; and the upgradation of earthen ponds at NFSF Manasbal with an outlay of Rs 308.12 lakh.

He was accompanied by Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmed Dar and Satish Sharma; Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani; MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali; Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta; Deputy Commissioner and SSP Ganderbal; and senior officials of Jal Shakti, KPDCL and R and B.

During a comprehensive district review meeting, the Deputy Commissioner briefed the Chief Minister on progress in road, power and water infrastructure, agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, education, social welfare and winter tourism. CM Omar directed officials to intensify awareness on Fasal Bima Yojana, eliminate primary-level dropouts, assess the impact of smart classrooms, expedite registration and operationalisation of a procured ambulance, and ensure early functioning of the CT Scan machine by completing pending civil and electrical works.

He called for a long-term traffic decongestion plan for Ganderbal, emphasised timely utilisation of funds under the SASCI scheme and instructed fortnightly reviews to achieve 80 per cent expenditure by December. He urged departments to accelerate the development of Sonamarg as a winter tourism destination and directed the Sonamarg Development Authority to prevent illegal construction in the eco-fragile zone.

Responding to local demands, he sanctioned two water tankers for Ganderbal from his Constituency Development Fund.

MLA Mian Meher Ali raised issues, including a proposed degree college at Gund, improved road connectivity and upgraded drinking water coverage for schools. The Chief Minister directed concerned ministers to resolve the issues promptly.

Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner presented an update on urban planning, a Rs 24.10 crore municipal work plan, health and educational expansion, and winter preparedness. He highlighted plans to enhance winter sports infrastructure and informed that Sonamarg would now function as a year-round destination.

The Chief Minister inspected multiple departmental stalls showcasing initiatives under the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, KVIB, Horticulture, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, PMFME, Atal Tinkering Labs, Mission Vatsalya, Mission Shakti, Fisheries Bio-Floc units, Mission YUVA, NRLM-UMEED and the J and K Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.

He distributed welfare benefits including individual and group cheques under BOCW schemes amounting to Rs 3,62,72,562 for 5,424 beneficiaries. He issued sanction letters under Mission YUVA, handed over two scooties under the Social Welfare Department, and approved Rs 6 lakh in grant-in-aid for a Self-Help Group under HADP. Under PMAY-I, he handed over a cheque of Rs 2,20,326 and issued a sanction letter under PMAY-U 2.0. Orders for regularisation of 14 CPW/LFW workers as MTS were also distributed.

Later, the Chief Minister visited District Hospital Ganderbal and inaugurated a high-end USG machine procured under his CDF, directing that it be made operational from Monday. Issues including a proposed CATH lab, deployment of a cardiologist and the need for a PG Hostel were raised. He instructed the Deputy Commissioner to include the PG Hostel project in the CAPEX plan. The visit concluded with a plantation drive at the hospital.