During his current three days visit to New Delhi, former Dy. Chief Minister & BJP Leader of Legislative Party Dr. Nirmal Singh called upon Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Water Resources Uma Bharti and Union Rural Development Minister Ch. Virender Singh and discussed the respective projects which are under progress in Jammu & Kashmir besides apprising about the needs for further sanctioning more projects related to expansion of road connectivity, preservation of water bodies and development of rural areas.
Dr. Nirmal Singh, while expressing gratitude to Nitin Gadkari for sanctioning two national highways namely Dayalachak-Shallan-Udhampur and Lakhanpur-Mahanpur- Basohali-Dunera, for the convenience of the major population of these areas, urged upon the Minister for directing the concerned agencies to accelerate the work on Delhi-Amritsar-Katra express way adding that it should touch Udhampur via Dhar road. He also stressed for approval to the pending road projects under Central Road Funds and tunnel to be constructed at Chattergalan on Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah road. The Minister agreed in principle to accede to the demands as he was of the view that better road connectivity is the basic requirement for bringing development and prosperity in any region.
During his meeting with Uma Bharti, Dr. Singh said that the state of Jammu & Kashmir has a number of ancient and famous lakes and rivers, which could not be developed during the previous governments in the state and now the liberal funding for their preservation and development will not only attract tourists but bring development in real sense. He urged upon the Minister to provide funds for irrigation related schemes so that the crops of the farmers do not suffer and a revolution in agriculture sector is promoted.
Referring to development of Tawi river on the pattern of Sabarmati, Dr. Nirmal Singh said that it is a dream project and with the support of Union Water Resources Ministry, it will become the most attractive tourist destination in Jammu province.
Dr. Nirmal Singh, while raising the issue of lessening the gap between Rural and Urban population, told Ch. Virender Singh that kandi areas should also be included in Desert Area Development Plan, be extended to the state of Jammu & Kashmir also and the Minister asked for preparing and forwarding a detailed project for the purpose so that the same is sanctioned.
