JKNT
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 19: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti on Monday took stock of development projects in various sectors of the three Chenab Valley districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban.
“The Chenab valley area has very peculiar problems, which need to be addressed in a focused manner, in order to bridge the existing infrastructural gaps, keeping in mind the topography and difficult terrain,” she said and gave specific directions to the concerned Administrative Secretaries with regard to various developmental projects.
To augment the power sector in the region, the Chief Minister asked the concerned Administrative Secretary to expedite the transmission and distribution works under various schemes and programmes.
The Chief Minister was informed that under transmission besides others, work is in progress for augmentation of Khellani Grid from 40 to 70 MVA at an estimated cost of Rs 6.42 cr and it shall be commissioned by October 2016 and survey for re-conductoring of Udhampur- Kishtwar 132 KV Line [60 MW, 40 Km] is going on, which shall take around 3 months and will enhance the capacity from 60 to 100 MW.
The CM gave directions to ensure buffer stock of transformers in the region to avoid any inconvenience to the people especially during the ensuing winter months.
Mehbooba also stressed the need for improving and upgrading the road connectivity in the Chenab Valley region. She was informed that for maintenance of 265km Batote–Kishtwar–Simthan Pass–Anantnag road, an amount of Rs 95.30 Cr has been approved via NHIDCL and Rs 130 Cr has been approved for balance work of two-lane.
The CM stressed on development of tourist infrastructure in the region to attract tourists. She asked the Tourism Department to develop world class tourism infrastructure in the area so that tourists visiting other areas of the state can also visit Chenab Valley region.
With regard to health sector in the region, the Chief Minister was informed that the final award and consequent mutation of the land for the medical college at Doda in favor of Health & Medical Education Department is under process. It was further informed that work on District Hospital Doda constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 32.23 Cr is almost complete, while as, Rs 3.69 Cr have already been expended on the construction of Accidental Hospital at Khellani, Doda, similarly various health projects in Ramban and Kishtwar are also under execution, which are different stages of completion.
To address the deficiency of healthcare staff in the region, the Chief Minister asked the concerned to ensure that the recruitment process is expedited.
Chief Secretary, B R Sharma, Financial Commissioner Planning and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B B Vyas and other concerned Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments and other senior officers also attended the meeting. Deputy Commissioners of Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar participated in the meeting via video conferencing.
