Srinagar, Jun 17 (KNS): Border villages in Uri sub-division will receive a major developmental push with a focus on tourism promotion as part of the Centre's Vibrant Village Programme–Phase II, a senior Jammu and Kashmir official said on Wednesday.

 

Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma, who is also the Nodal Officer for the Vibrant Villages Maidanan and Salasan, toured the two frontline hamlets to review the progress of various schemes and asserted that the administration is committed to making these "first villages" prosperous.

 

"We visited two of our vibrant villages — Maidanan and Salasan. Both are doing good, progressive work," Sharma told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS).

 

The official said the administration has identified gaps in four key verticals — electricity, road connectivity, television DTH connectivity, and mobile tower connectivity — and is working to strengthen them.

 

"Wherever there has been a gap finding in any department, especially our four verticals, we are strengthening them. Connectivity is good here, TV connectivity is also good. Road connectivity is well made, though it needs minor repairs," he said.

 

Sharma said 12 projects have been formulated in Maidanan under various departments and the focus is now on their timely implementation.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

 

"We are talking about implementation on all projects. We will do that. And we will make these two villages vibrant," he said.

 

Stressing the need to boost the local economy, the officer said the region has immense potential for tourism, agriculture, and business.

 

"There is a lot of scope in tourism here. We will try to develop it further. People should stay here, do their work, do their agriculture, do their business, or develop their tourism," he said.

 

Sharma said it is the "dream" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah that all border villages should be prosperous and self-reliant.

 

"It is the order of our Honourable Prime Minister and Honourable Home Minister for all of us, and it is their dream that all our border villages, our first villages, should be very prosperous. In any form, if we cannot go beyond other villages, then we will not stay less. This is our guarantee," he said.

 

He added that the administration is working under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to saturate these villages with all available schemes. (KNS)