Oversees NH restoration works, sanctions immediate relief
UDHAMPUR/POONCH, SEPTEMBER 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday visited the affected stretch of NH-44 at Thard Udhampur to take stock of the ongoing restoration works.
He was accompanied by Javed Ahmed Rana, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs; Balwant Singh Mankotia, MLA Chenani; Saloni Rai, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur; Amod Ashok Nagpure, SSP Udhampur; Adil Hamid, SSP Traffic; besides senior officers and members of the local public.
During the visit, R.S. Yadav, Regional Officer J&K NHAI, briefed the Chief Minister about the progress of works including widening, metalling, and restoration of the second tube of NH-44.
He also apprised him of the current single-lane traffic arrangements in place to manage vehicular movement.
The Chief Minister directed the NHAI authorities to expedite the restoration process to ease the movement of commuters and the general public. He instructed the executing agencies to mobilize additional men and machinery to ensure timely completion, underlining that safe and smooth road connectivity is the top priority of the Government.
Later, the Chief Minister interacted with local residents at Thard, patiently listening to their grievances.
He assured them that the Government is making every possible effort to fully restore NH-44 at the earliest and provide necessary relief to both commuters and the public.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also visited Kalaban in Poonch district to take stock of the damage caused by land subsidence in the area.
He was accompanied by Minister for Jal Shakti, Forests and Tribal Affairs, Javed Rana, Deputy Commissioner Poonch, and other senior officers.
The Chief Minister personally inspected the affected site and obtained a firsthand appraisal of the situation. He interacted with the locals and affected families, assuring them of all possible support from the Government.
To provide immediate relief, the Chief Minister sanctioned ₹38 lakh for the affected families in addition to the ₹50 lakh already sanctioned under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He reiterated that it is the Government’s duty to extend maximum possible assistance to the people during such difficult times.
During his interactions, the Chief Minister emphasized that the Government stands firmly with the affected families and will ensure all necessary measures for their rehabilitation.
Highlighting the broader impact of this year’s heavy rains across Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister said that almost every district has suffered damage to infrastructure and private property. He added that the Government has been extending all possible help to the people and noted that a Central Team has recently visited J&K to assess the losses. He expressed hope for a relief package for Jammu and Kashmir on the pattern of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
