J&K/Rajouri (The Stellar News),Anil Bhardwaj: District Development Commissioner Rajouri, Rajesh K Shavan on Sunday conducted a day-long tour of the Koteranka block to inspect the progress on several developmental projects being executed there.DDC was accompanied by the Chairperson District Development Council Rajouri, Naseem Liaqat; Chairperson Block Development Council, Budhal Old A, Javed Chowdhary; ADC Koteranka, Surinder Mohan Sharma; SE Jal Shakti, SR Shukla; Tehsildar Rajouri, Mohd Rafeeq; Tehsildar Koteranka; Haqim Shah, ExEn PMGSY Rajouri, Subash Chander, ExEn PMGSY Budhal, Abdul Gani and ExEn I&FC Rajouri, Sageer Malik. The visit of the District Development Commissioner Rajouri received a grand welcome by the public and more than 2000 people gathered to welcome the visiting officer.
During his visit to the ANS irrigation Canal, it was informed that the project has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 53 crore and an expenditure of Rs 13 crore has been incurred to date. It was further informed that a tunnel of 1386 is targeted to be constructed out of which 310 meters tunnel have been constructed . It was also apprised that the canal would benefit about Seven Thousand families from fourteen revenue villages. The construction of the canal will not only increase the land under irrigation; but will also enhance the productivity and prosperity of the entire area besides entailing employment benefits for the youth of the region. DDC asked the concerned officer from the executing agency to mobilise their men and machinery and work in double shifts and ensure that the work on the tunnel is completed within five months.
DDC also kickstarted the work of 5.7 Kms road from Chowkian to Sankari to be executed by the PMGSY Department at an estimated cost of Rs 338.43 lacs.DDC asked the concerned Executive Engineer to work in double shifts and ensure that the work on the road is completed by the end of June this year. Besides the DDC also inspected the progress on several PWD and PMGSY roads including road from Kanchi More to Tralla, Kotedhera to Peeri road and other road projects and directed the Engineers to work double shifts to ensure that the work on the projects is completed within the already set deadlines.
Meanwhile, the DDC also met several public deputations who apprised him about several issues and demands of their areas including construction of road from Hilla to Hakkhar, the road from Mandirgalla to Tarkassi, the road from Kandli Mata temple to Pithadeh, construction of school building for MS Mehari, completion of work on PS Dheri, restoration of water supply scheme at Chinni Nakka, replacement of old water pipes, shortage of electricity poles, the paucity of staff in health and educational institutions, augmentation of water and power supply and other related issues. The DDC gave a patient hearing to their issues and demands and assured them that all their genuine grievances would be redressed in a time-bound manner.
While speaking on the occasions, the DDC informed that the District Administration Rajouri has decided to construct 1000 Kulhs in areas of the district for irrigation purpose, the work of which is being executed by the Rural Development Department besides he also apprised that more Kulhs would be constructed in future. He asked the public to contact their BDOs for the construction of Kulhs in their areas.DDC said that a mega awareness programme shall be organised tomorrow at the District Headquarter on the occasion of the World Water Day and similar programmes shall be replicated at the tehsil, block and the panchayat level and urged upon the masses to ensure maximum participation in these programmes besides he also advised them to play a constructive role in water conservation and preservation by ensuring judicious use of this valuable gift of nature.
DDC also said that the District Administration Rajouri is committed to providing drinking water supply to all the households of the district and for this several measures are being taken to mitigate the sufferings of the common masses. He said that necessary instructions have been passed on to the concerned from the Jal Shakti Department for the early completion of works on the ongoing PHE Schemes and the work on repairing the old hand pumps has also been started. DDC said that the District Administration has decided to declare Rajouri as a white City and asked the public to paint the outer walls of their houses with white polish and maintain proper cleanliness and sanitation in their surroundings. To promote local culture and tourism in the district, the DDC also said that the District Administration Rajouri in collaboration with the Tourism Department has decided to organize a one-day mega Cultural cum tourism promotion festival in the district on 27th March and urged upon the masses to participate in maximum numbers in this mega event.
