Bhatnagar visits Kupwara, reviews developmental scenario

Kupwara, Sep 3: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar Saturday remarked that the present LG’s Administration has a sole objective to serve the public of J&K, adding that the officers and filed functionaries need to take personal interest and intervention to accomplish the target of works assigned to them.
The Advisor, who is on a two day tour of Kupwara district, said this while chairing a meet of the senior officers of district administration to review developmental scenario of district at DC office complex here.
Addressing the officers, Advisor Bhatnagar said that LG Administration is aware of the fact that district Kupwara has been always giving its support in nation building and as such the prosperity and development for this district is always in the thoughts of Lieutenant Governor. He said that the district has got the status of Aspirational District and as such it is receiving good flow of funds.
The Advisor said that it is imperative upon all officers and field functionaries to work with commitment and dedication and make themselves accountable to public. He highlighted that the present LG’s Administration believes in equitable development and always works on the policies to provide same opportunities to the people living in urban as well as rural areas.
Asserting the officers to maintain close contact with people and involve them in development of district, Advisor Bhatnagar said that the LG’s Administration is committed to provide accountable and transparent Governance to the people of J&K and has zero tolerance towards the corruption.
The Advisor further asked the officers to tap the tourism potential of the district as it has vast scope for amplifying Tourism sector. He also asked them to tap the potential of other sectors like Agriculture and Horticulture among others for boosting the developmental needs of the district.
During the meeting, Advisor Bhatnagar had a detailed sector wise review of all the ongoing developmental and welfare activities of the district.
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara briefed the Advisor about the development profile of the district through a detailed presentation.
The Advisor was informed that the District has a CAPEX Budget of Rs.1598.53 crore for the current financial year out of which Rs.141.58 crore has been released. He was informed that 120 km road length have been blacktopped against the target of 237 kms during current financial year so far by R&B, PMGSY and BEACON. 248 km road length has been blacktopped during last financial year.
While reviewing the major infrastructural projects, the Advisor was informed that work is apace on District Hospital Handwara costing Rs.46.45 crore, 50 Bedded Ayush Hospital at Kulangam costing Rs.7.32 crore, Residential School for Gujjar & Bakerwal students at Kupwara costing Rs.2.50 crore and District Court Complex Kupwara costing Rs.12.57 crore.
The Advisor was informed that district has got two ambitious projects which can change the developmental scenario of the district when completed by way of better medical facilities and road connectivity. These projects include Medical College at Handwara costing Rs.255 crore and 4 lane Baramulla-Kupwara-Chowkibla-Chamkote road with proposed cost of Rs.2370 crores.
The Advisor also reviewed the progress of construction of New Degree College Vilgam costing Rs.10.15 crore, Polytechnic College Karihama costing Rs.19.35 crore. He also reviewed the progress of ongoing Languishing Projects of PMGSY, Power and other departments and asked officers and executing agencies to accelerate the developmental tempo and ensure completion of the projects within the stipulated timeframe with all quality parameters.
The Advisor directed the engineers of R&B to ensure construction of roads with proper drainage to increase the life span of the roads constructed. He directed SE PDD to improve and augment the power scenario in the district so that people do not face any inconvenience during the upcoming winter season.
Reviewing the Rural Development, the Advisor was informed that 25608 soakage pits have been approved for the current financial year besides 231 Amrit Sarovars have been completed out of 338 taken in hand so far.