CM Omar calls for accelerated development of Sonamarg as winter tourism destination

Ganderbal, Nov 18: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several vital infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing civic amenities and accelerating development across District Ganderbal.

He inaugurated the upgradation and widening of the Dak Bungalow Fatehpora–Gadoora road worth Rs 5.2 crore and the upgradation of various link roads in Sherpathri Block costing Rs 8.9 crore. He also e-inaugurated several major water supply projects, including a 70,000-gallon capacity slow sand filtration plant with allied structures at WSS Gagangeer completed for Rs 119.16 lakh; a 30,000-gallon capacity slow sand filtration plant with reservoirs and treatment units at WSS Fraw Haknar completed with an investment of Rs 108.09 lakh; and a 60,000-gallon capacity slow sand filtration plant at WSS Rezan along with its pipe network and related infrastructure completed for Rs 121.20 lakh.

The Chief Minister later laid the foundation stone for multiple upcoming projects. These include a 4 MGD common pre-settling tank along with the revamping of the water treatment plant in Ganderbal Town with an estimated outlay of Rs 384 lakh; the construction of a 33/11 KV, 1x6.3 MVA receiving station at Wangath, Kangan costing Rs 417 lakh; the upgradation of the road connecting Spring Naga Mohallah Shallar to Dab at Batpora, Lar with a budget of Rs 181.06 lakh; the establishment of a Model Floriculture Centre at Nunnar (FPO Park) costing Rs 172 lakh; and the upgradation of earthen ponds at NFSF Manasbal with a total investment of Rs 308.12 lakh.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister for Health & Medical Education, Higher Education, School Education Sakina Itoo, Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana, Minister for Agriculture Javid Ahmed Dar, Minister for Transport Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Deputy Commissioner and SSP Ganderbal, heads of departments, district officers and other concerned officials.

These projects are being executed by Jal Shakti RWS Division Ganderbal, KPDCL Ganderbal and Public Works (R&B) Department, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure and public welfare.

Later, the Chief Minister chaired a comprehensive district review meeting and DC Ganderbal presented a detailed overview of progress across various sectors. CM gave instructions to ensure adequate awareness among farmers about Fasal Bima Yojana and other government schemes. CM exhorted that dropout rate at primary school level should be brought to nil and that teachers be deployed in such cases to understand the problem. He also asked for an assessment of whether the introduction of smart classrooms has led to qualitative improvement in the education being imparted in schools. He instructed the health authorities to immediately complete registration of the already procured ambulance through the hospital development fund and make it operational without delay. Similarly, he directed the concerned Health and R&B Electric wing to ensure early operationalisation of the procured CT Scan machine by completing the pending civil and electrical works.

He also emphasised the urgency of addressing traffic congestion in Ganderbal and directed the Deputy Commissioner to prepare an ideal long-term solution in consultation with the R&B Department. He further stressed expediting utilisation of funds, avoiding lapses and cutting down non-essential expenditure. Regarding the SASCI scheme, he directed the Deputy Commissioner to conduct fortnightly reviews to ensure that 80 percent expenditure by end of December is achieved, which is mandatory to secure the next instalment.

The Chief Minister instructed the concerned departments to make all necessary efforts to develop Sonamarg as another major winter tourism destination in Kashmir, saying that this year would serve as a learning experience as winter tourism expands beyond Gulmarg and Pahalgam. He also directed CEO Sonamarg Development Authority to check and stop any illegal construction in the eco-fragile zone of Sonamarg.

Responding to local demand for water tankers in the district, he sanctioned two tankers from his CDF for Ganderbal.

MLA Mian Meher Ali raised several issues such as the establishment of a degree college at Gund, road connectivity improvements, drinking water coverage, upgradation of schools and other public concerns. The Chief Minister asked the concerned ministers to resolve these issues in a timely manner.