Push on to include Chattergala tunnel in current plan

Jammu, Jul 26: Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday said efforts were underway to ensure the inclusion of the ambitious Chattergala tunnel project in the current plan to facilitate early commencement of work.

Speaking after a two-hour-long public durbar in the hilly town of Bani, Kathua, Dr. Jitendra said the 6.8-km-long tunnel would connect Lakhanpur with Doda via Bani, offering all-weather alternative road connectivity between the two regions. The tunnel is expected to cut travel time between Doda and Lakhanpur to about four hours, significantly boosting trade, tourism, employment, and ease of travel.

The Chattergala road and tunnel project, pegged as a game changer from Lakhanpur to Bani–Basohli to Bhaderwah–Doda, will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 17,000 crore, with the tunnel alone costing about Rs 4,000 crore.

The Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for prioritising the project, noting that its planning had gathered pace since Modi took office. Initially assigned to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the project was later handed over to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) due to its high cost and complexity.

Dr. Jitendra also reviewed the security situation in the region with district and police officials. He was briefed on heightened surveillance measures following recent armed encounters and killings. Responding to public demands, he called for urgent deployment of paramilitary forces at vulnerable points to restore confidence among residents. The officers assured immediate action in this regard.

During the public durbar, various local grievances were addressed on the spot, with others marked for swift resolution through departmental follow-ups. Senior officers from departments like PWD, PHE, Education, Health, and PMGSY were present to ensure immediate redressal.

In a significant announcement, Dr. Jitendra directed officials to replace the decades-old “Jhoola” bridge in the heart of Bani, which locals still use despite its deteriorated condition. He asked for a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to be prepared and offered to fund part of the project through his MPLAD funds.

He also announced the widening of Dhar Road, a key arterial route critical for smooth civilian and security force movement due to its strategic location.

Stressing on the importance of public engagement, the Minister reiterated the significance of outreach initiatives like the public durbar. He said these forums bridge the gap between the administration and the people, allowing officials to directly hear and act on citizens’ issues.

“Public representatives are not just expected to solve problems but also make citizens feel heard and valued,” he said. He assured that issues flagged in earlier interactions were being tracked and pursued with the concerned departments for timely resolution.

Dr. Jitendra emphasised the commitment of the NDA government under Prime Minister Modi to deliver transparent, efficient, and inclusive governance. He said the outreach was rooted in the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.

The durbar saw participation from PRI members, civil society groups, youth representatives, and citizens from remote areas. Local leaders including MLA Dr. Rameshwar, former MLA Jeevan Lal, MLA Basohli Darshan Singh, DDC chairman Col. Mahan Singh, and members Rita Thakur and Narain Dutt Tripathi were also present.

Dr. Jitendra stressed that such public engagement exercises reinforce people’s trust in a responsive and accountable administration.