Srinagar, Sept 17 : Asserting that peace and stability is a prerequisite to ensure development at the grassroots level, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that the issue is not of availability of resources, but the capacity to spend the money allocated for developmental projects. During her day-long interaction with scores of delegations in south Kashmir district of Pulwama today, the Chief Minister outlined a comprehensive roadmap for the holistic development of Pulwama town and other areas of the district. Ms Mehbooba said the thrust of the existing and new developmental initiatives sketched out for the district includes augmentation of connectivity, administrative infrastructure, healthcare facilities, educational infrastructure, power, irrigation and horticulture. She said in addition to around 30 road and bridge projects costing Rs 190 crore under execution in the district, some new roads are proposed to be taken up to improve connectivity in and around the district and decongest the town. The Chief Minister said that the new road projects include extension of the present Ring Road to connect with Pulwama-Newa-Srinagar Road as part of Highway-444. “This will help in diverting all the traffic from Shopian and Mughal Road and other areas to Srinagar without passing through the Main Town,” she said and added that upgradation of Pulwama-Srinagar road via Newa, which is of late witnessing huge traffic rush, is also proposed to be taken up soon. She said widening of existing alternate road from SP Office Pulwama to T-Point on Pulwama-Rajpora road, to divert the traffic to Rajpora, Drubgam, Shadimarg, Kellar via this road from New Bus Stand, has also been proposed. “This will help decongest the traffic passing through Main Town and DPR for Rs 2 crore already stands formulated in this regard,” she said and added that widening of road from Rohmu to Chadoora and from Inder to Pinglena is also proposed. Regarding decongestion of Pulwama town, Ms Mehbooba said additional Administrative-cum-Residential Complex will be constructed in District Industries Centre (DIC) complex opposite DC Office to house around 25 district offices which are presently scattered throughout the town and mostly housed in rented buildings. She said a new Engineering Complex would be also constructed at the existing R&B Complex so that all the Engineering Departments including R&B, PHE, Electrical, Mechanical etc can operate from a single location. Ms Mehbooba said the Tehsil Offices will be shifted from Malikpora to Old Court Complex near DC Office and a Community Hall and Public Park will be constructed at the site of present Tehsil Office for the facility of the locals. (UNI)
