DC inspects projects, amenities during Basohli tour

Kathua, Aug 16: Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, Saturday conducted an extensive tour of Basohli to review developmental works, civic infrastructure and tourism-related projects.As per a statement issued here, he was accompanied by ADC Basohli Pankaj Bhgotra, ADC Kathua Vishavjeet Singh, CPO Ranjit Thakur, XEN PWD Basohli Rajesh Kumar and other district officers.During the tour, the Deputy Commissioner visited the historic Mint site near Bus Stand Basohli and directed the Executive Engineer PWD to immediately commence development work sanctioned by the Archaeology Department at a cost of Rs 82.34 lakh. The project includes construction of a protection wall and development of a park to preserve and showcase the heritage site. He later visited Ward No. 11, a landslide-affected area, and instructed the Executive Engineer PWD and ACD Kathua to prepare a convergence plan for initiating protection measures. At Kulthi Morh, Rehan Panchayat, he inspected the Solid Waste Treatment Plant where compost pits have been completed. He directed PWD to expedite approach road and chain-link fencing works and stressed on community participation in maintaining cleanliness. The Deputy Commissioner also reviewed the progress of residential huts of the Tourism Department being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 79 lakh and instructed the executing agency to complete the work by October. He further inspected the boating point near TRC where CEO BBDA informed that 5,800 tourists had availed boating facilities in Ranjit Sagar Dam Lake till July 31. During his visit to Purthu (Mini Goa), a popular tourist destination, he reviewed the pending riverfront development proposal from Atal Setu to Purthu aimed at creating amenities and assets. Later, he chaired a meeting of district officers at the ADC Office Basohli and reviewed progress of ongoing development works, with focus on road conditions during monsoon. He directed officers to address public grievances on priority and instructed Agriculture and allied departments to intensify awareness about government-sponsored schemes, promote adoption of new farming practices and encourage mixed farming for financial upliftment of farmers.