Bandipora, Jul 18: North Kashmir’s Bandipora district is set to welcome Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Saturday, amid ongoing demands for urgent development initiatives. As a native of the region, his visit is seen as an opportunity to address longstanding issues affecting residents and improve infrastructure.
MLA Bandipora, Nizamuddin Bhat, in a statement, expressed gratitude for the Chief Secretary’s visit, saying the people of Bandipora trust him to expedite development efforts. He reiterated concerns regarding the deteriorating condition of the Sumbal-Bandipora road, recalling that he had raised this issue in two previous meetings with the Chief Secretary.
Bhat called for removing obstacles in upgrading the Srinagar-Bandipora road, including the pending demand for National Highway status, to ease the hardships faced by commuters. He highlighted pressing issues at the District Hospital Bandipora, including a non-functional lift, inadequate heating arrangements, and staff shortages, which are impacting patient care. “Urgent intervention is needed to ensure dignified healthcare services for the residents,” he said.
Addressing the livelihood concerns of local residents, the MLA urged the Chief Secretary to facilitate the reopening of key tourist destinations such as Wullar, Watlab, and Gurez, especially during the peak season, to boost economic activity while maintaining safety protocols.
He called for beautifying Bandipora town through proper street lighting and innovative development initiatives to establish it as a model town in north Kashmir.
Bhat requested the establishment of a Youth Skill Development Centre to combat unemployment, eco-tourism projects around Wullar Lake to generate sustainable livelihoods, implementation of solid waste management for a cleaner environment, development of sports infrastructure to channel youth energy positively, and promotion of local handicrafts with strong market linkages for artisans.
The MLA urged the Chief Secretary to prioritise these demands during his visit to address Bandipora’s long-standing issues without further delay.
