Kesri Hill Dhok gets power supply

Rajouri, Dec 13: Kesri Hill Dhok on Saturday marked a historic milestone with the inauguration of an electrification project by Javed Iqbal Choudhary, MLA Budhal, completed at a cost of Rs 65 lakh.

“With this achievement, Kesri Hill has become the first Dhok (pasture land) in the sub-region to receive electricity, signifying a major step towards inclusive and equitable development in remote tribal areas,” MLA stated.

Last year, a tribal transit accommodation was also established at Kesri Hill at a cost of Rs 4.50 Cr, providing crucial facilities to the migratory tribal population.

“For the first time, tribal migratory communities in the area are now meaningfully benefiting from various government welfare schemes,” MLA said.

Addressing the gathering, the MLA announced that a road up to Kesri Hill would be taken up during the current year under the REDIFF-31 package.

He further pledged to develop Kesri Hill as a future tourist destination and to explore the untapped tourism potential of Budhal constituency.

“Destinations such as Kesri Hill, Smater, Ghambiri Dhok, Dassuai Chawani, and Phulwari will be promoted to bring the region onto the tourism map, which will, in turn, generate employment opportunities for the local population,” MLA said.

He urged all stakeholders to work collectively for the upliftment of the downtrodden strata of society and emphasised the need for forest conservation, protection of local flora and fauna, and environmental sustainability.

MLA also complimented the Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, along with the Executive Engineer PDD, AEE Yudvir Sharma, and Junior Engineer Waqar, for taking personal interest and putting in dedicated efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project.

Reaffirming his commitment to holistic development, Javed Iqbal Choudhary stated that sectors such as education, health, electricity, road connectivity, water supply, and other basic amenities were being accorded top priority.

He reiterated his resolve to develop Budhal as a model constituency and to address and rectify the “historic injustices caused by previous regimes and entrenched political monopolies.”