Jammu: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday laid the foundation stone of a 135-meter-long double-lane motorable bridge at Gambhir Nallah, Tehsil Majalta, fulfilling a long-pending demand of over 50 years.
Despite persistent public requests, the project had been overlooked for the last over half a century, but under the BJP government, the neglected infrastructure projects have been revived and put back on track and taken up as priority, the Minister told media after the ceremony.
Highlighting the importance of the bridge, Dr Singh stated that it will connect the main Dhar road directly with the Tehsil Headquarters of Majalta, reducing travel distance by 1.5 kilometres and bypassing the landslide-prone Majalta Link Road.
Dr Singh said, “The bridge will benefit approximately 1.5 lakh people in and around Majalta, facilitating better access to markets, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and government offices.”
The project is expected to be completed within 36 months.
Dr Singh emphasized that the bridge will boost local economic activities, allowing farmers and artisans to transport their agricultural and local products to nearby markets efficiently. The bridge will connect Battal, Majalta, Jansal, Chaini, Satrari, Manwal, and Pinger, significantly improving socio-economic conditions in the region.
Dr Singh also highlighted other key development projects in the region which have neglected and were stalled for decades in the erstwhile governments such as the Mansar Lake Project, which has been Included in the newly launched SWADESH Scheme, aimed at boosting tourism and cultural heritage.
The Mantalai Project, which has been revived after being abandoned by the Congress government 35 years ago, is now developed into a state-of-the-art Wellness Centre due to efforts of the BJP government, he said.
Dr Singh also recalled that Udhampur district has been ranked among the top three in the country for the construction of rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for five consecutive years.
He expressed his satisfaction about Lavender Startup ‘Purple Revolution’ initiated in Doda district, which has now been expanded to Ladi and Basantgarh, boosting agriculture-based entrepreneurship.
Prior to his visit to Majalta, Dr Singh, who was on a tour to Odisha on Saturday, travelled straight from the Jammu airport to the homes of two martyred police personnel in Lohri and Kanachak villages in Kathua.
Expressing his solidarity with their families, he announced government jobs for the spouses of the martyrs, namely the wife of Balwant Singh (MA, BEd) and the wife of Balwinder Ji (Class 12 pass) he also announced a relief package of around Rs 70 lakh for the families.
Dr Singh proposed creation of memorials in their respective villages using the MP Fund and naming government schools in the area after the martyrs as a tribute to their sacrifice.
