MLA Sajjad Shaheen lays foundation of Rs 2.25 Cr water supply scheme in Banihal

Banihal, Jan 22: JKNC leader and MLA Banihal Sajjad Shaheen laid the foundation stone of a Rs 2.25 crore water supply scheme for Wards 4 and 5 of Banihal and launched road, bridge and flood protection works worth Rs 52 lakh in the constituency.

On the occasion, the MLA, as per a statement issued on Thursday, also kick-started multiple road, bridge and flood protection projects including the Chachal Culvert at Dilli Nallah Zinhal, Chachal road to Naikpora , flood protection works at Dilli Nallah Zinhal, launching of the Old Lamber–Chareel–Arba bridge, construction of tractor road from Diili Nallah, Zahil to Pahalpora Kaskoot, protection works on the Gund Adalkote–Gugthal road, being executed at a combined cost of Rs 52 lakhs.

These long-pending projects are expected to bring significant relief to the people of the area, who for decades have faced severe hardships due to lack of all-weather connectivity, unsafe passages and vulnerability to floods.

Addressing the media Sajjad Shaheen said that the initiation of these works marks a crucial milestone in addressing the genuine and longstanding difficulties of the people. Recalling past hardships, he said that in the absence of proper roads, patients were often carried on shoulders, students were forced to use unsafe routes to reach schools, and timely movement of essential supplies remained a challenge.

Reiterating his commitment to the people of the constituency, the MLA said that providing road connectivity to every deserving habitation was a core promise he made during the election campaign, and expressed satisfaction at fulfilling that commitment.

“My priority is to bring the Banihal–Gool constituency back on the development track. These projects are not merely infrastructure works; they are lifelines that will transform daily lives and open new opportunities for our people,” he said.

Shaheen expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his continued support and visionary leadership, under which the Banihal–Gool constituency is witnessing accelerated development across sectors. He informed that a large number of projects related to roads, bridges, drinking water, irrigation, flood protection, health, education, power, rural development, sports, agriculture and horticulture have been sanctioned, many of which are currently under execution.

Highlighting recent initiatives, the MLA referred to Jal Shakti protection works, strengthening of water supply schemes, expansion of irrigation canals, upgradation of health infrastructure and diagnostic facilities, improvement of school infrastructure, development of sports facilities, augmentation of power infrastructure, horticulture cluster development, and large-scale MGNREGA works being carried out across various panchayats.

He emphasised that these interventions are part of a comprehensive and integrated development plan aimed at ensuring equitable, inclusive and sustainable growth for every village and household in the constituency. He further added that several more long-pending and critical projects have already been approved and will be taken up on the ground in the coming months.