SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that amount of Rs 10.00 crore has been requisitioned from the Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR) Department for undertaking temporary restoration works in Anantnag, including the damaged bridge at Kandiwara-Khalhar.
Deputy CM was replying to the Calling Attention Motion moved by MLA Dooru, Ghulam Ahmad Mir regarding the damaged bridge at Kandiwara-Khalhar.
Deputy CM informed that due to the recent flash floods, a number of roads, including bridges, culverts, and their approaches, have suffered partial damage and subsequent steps were undertaken for their restoration.
He said that the departmental field staff prepared restoration estimates for the damaged approaches of the road infrastructure and submitted the same to the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag.
It is pertinent to mention here that the villages of Kandiwara and Khalhar are situated on opposite banks of the Brengi Nallah. The village of Kandiwara, having a population of approximately 3,000, is connected through a good-quality blacktopped road—Mohipora-Kandiwara-Soaf Road—which diverges from NH-244. Similarly, the village of Khalhar, with a population of about 2,000, is connected through the Hiller-Khalhar-Sagam Road, also a blacktopped road originating from NH-244.
He informed that the road where the box culvert approaches were damaged serves as an alternate connectivity link between the two villages.
He further submitted that the bridge structure itself remains intact and has not suffered any structural damage.
‘Rs 37.77 Cr funds allocated under C&Ts’
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary Friday said that an amount of Rs 37.77 crore funds have been allocated for 277 works under Cities and Towns in Rajouri District for the year 2025-26.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by the Legislator Iftikhar Ahmad in the Legislative Assembly today.
He said that the Mini Secretariat, Rajouri stands approved under the Special Task Force (STF) for the year 2011-12 for an amount of Rs. 10.00 crore, out of which Rs. 7.50 crore have been utilized.
He said that the sub structure work including the erection of columns has been completed at site. “However, matter shall be pursued with the district administration for settlement of the issue,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that an amount of Rs. 4942.16 lac has been for undertaking 53 projects under NABARD and UT Capex in Rajouri District, the areas covered are Kalakote- Sunderbani, Nowshehra, Rajouri, Budhal and Surankote. Similarly under District Capex an amount of Rs. 8791 lac has been earmarked for Rajouri during the year 2025-26.
He said that the projects including Roads and bridges are prioritized as per established norms, assessed field requirements, availability of resources, and recommendations received from MLAs and DDC Members to ensure equitable and need-based development across all areas.
