Banihal, Oct 5 (KNS): MLA Banihal-Gool Sajjad Shaheen on Monday laid the foundation stones of two road projects worth ?4.61 crore in the Chamalwas-Neel area and announced an ambulance for Neel to strengthen emergency healthcare access in the remote region.

The two projects include the Krachihal-Tabela Road and the Sinigam-Kawansool Road, which are being taken up at a combined estimated cost of ?4.61 crore.

Speaking on the occasion, Shaheen said improving road connectivity remained one of his foremost priorities, particularly in the mountainous and difficult-to-reach areas of the Banihal-Gool Assembly Constituency.

He said the projects would provide safer and more reliable connectivity to local communities besides improving access to markets, educational institutions and healthcare facilities and facilitating the movement of agricultural and other local produce.

Highlighting the importance of healthcare access in remote areas, Shaheen announced an ambulance for Neel, saying timely emergency transportation could prove crucial for patients, particularly during medical emergencies and adverse weather conditions.

“The people of Banihal-Gool have long faced difficulties because of inadequate road connectivity and limited access to essential services. Our endeavour is to ensure that every remote habitation is gradually brought into the mainstream of development. The two road projects, along with the ambulance for Neel, are important steps in that direction,” he said.

Shaheen said several other major development projects were simultaneously being taken up across the constituency in different sectors.

He said substantial work was underway in the education sector, including improvement of school infrastructure and provision of modern facilities, while efforts were also continuing to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and medical services in remote areas.

In the road and connectivity sector, he said several major projects had either been sanctioned, tendered or were under execution under different schemes, including PMGSY and other government programmes.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

These include road links connecting remote villages and habitations, along with bridges aimed at improving all-weather connectivity, he said.

Shaheen said several bridge projects had also been taken up across the constituency, while work was progressing on road links in areas including Khari, Mahoo, Mangit, Pogal, Neel, Gool, Ramsoo, Sangaldan and other remote pockets.

He said strengthening of the power distribution network, augmentation of receiving stations, improvement of water supply, development of tourism infrastructure, playgrounds and public amenities were also receiving focused attention.

The MLA reiterated that his approach was to ensure balanced and equitable development across all seven tehsils of the Banihal-Gool constituency, with particular emphasis on remote and previously neglected areas.

“Development should reach every village and every habitation, irrespective of how remote or difficult the terrain may be. My commitment is to continue raising the issues of the people at every appropriate forum and to work for the timely execution of sanctioned projects,” he said.

Shaheen expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and the concerned departments for their support and cooperation in taking forward various development initiatives in the constituency.

He also urged the executing agencies to maintain quality standards and adhere strictly to prescribed timelines so that people could derive the intended benefits of the projects at the earliest.

The foundation stone-laying programme was attended by officers of the concerned departments, public representatives, local residents, prominent citizens and party workers.(KNS)