BANDIPORA, JUNE 18 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday gave a major developmental push to Bandipora district by inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for 18 mega projects worth approximately Rs 100 crore .
The multi-sectoral initiatives include the construction of a Government Degree College at Ajas (Rs 14 crore), a footbridge over the River Jhelum at Tundipora-Hakbara (Rs 10.62 crore), a female student hostel at Government Degree College Bandipora (Rs 10 crore), and a school building at Kaloosa (Rs 3.71 crore). Other key projects include the upgradation of the Markundal-Hajin road (Rs 7.13 crore), a water supply augmentation scheme (Rs 6.66 crore), a multi-storey car parking facility (Rs 3.74 crore), and residential apartments for Panchayati Raj Institution members .
Review Meeting & Priority on Timely Execution
During his visit, the Chief Minister chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the development scenario and public service delivery. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Ministers Sakina Itoo (virtually), Javed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar, and Satish Sharma, along with local MLAs and senior officers .
Emphasizing the need to maintain developmental momentum, Abdullah said the government has cleared administrative and financial approvals well in advance this year to allow full utilization of the working season, given the district's challenging geographical and climatic conditions .
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelHe assured that the concerns raised by local lawmakers regarding constituency-specific demands would be swiftly reviewed and resolved.
Focus on Medicinal Plant Cultivation
Highlighting Bandipora's rich natural wealth, the Chief Minister called for the scientific cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants. He directed officials to explore the possibility of setting up a specialised industrial estate for medicinal herbs to boost local entrepreneurship and create fresh employment opportunities for the youth .
Public Outreach and Student Interaction
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister distributed vehicles under the UMEED initiative, inspected stalls set up by self-help groups, and met public delegations from Gurez, Tulail, and Sonawari, assuring them of timely redressal of their developmental concerns .
A special feature of the visit was an open interaction with students of Government Degree College, Bandipora. The session, hosted by a female student, saw the Chief Minister engage in a candid discussion on governance and jobs. Praising their confidence, he encouraged the younger generation to actively participate in democracy and nation-building . (KNS)