Srinagar, Oct 6: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today announced that Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir is set to become part of India’s expansive rail network.
The Union Railway Ministry has already earmarked funds for the survey of the rail line in the district, marking a pivotal step toward enhancing connectivity and infrastructure in the region.
Speaking at a gathering in the frontier district of Kupwara, LG Manoj Sinha expressed his delight at the forthcoming rail link project. He stated, “The Union Railway Ministry has approved the budget for the survey of the rail line in Kupwara district. Once the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is submitted, we anticipate that work on this transformative rail project will commence, seamlessly integrating Kupwara into India’s vast rail network.”
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that over 9,000 landless people have been provided with land in the region as part of a pro-people initiative.
Highlighting the remarkable progress achieved in the last three years, LG Sinha noted that the residents of Kupwara are now leading more peaceful and prosperous lives. The district has witnessed a substantial transformation in its infrastructure, including improved road connectivity, enhanced power supply, and a burgeoning tourism sector.
Sinha further pointed out that census data from 2001 and 2011 showed significant progress in connecting all villages to the district headquarters, with only eight villages remaining to be linked in the near future. He also highlighted the substantial enhancements in power distribution and transmission infrastructure and the rapid growth of tourism in the district.
“Overall, approximately 70 per cent of the infrastructural work has been completed, and Kupwara is scripting a new era of development,” emphasised LG Manoj Sinha, reaffirming the commitment of the local administration to improving the quality of life for residents and bolstering economic prospects in the region.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on the second day of his visit engaged in extensive interactions with various public delegations, addressing their concerns and discussing development-related issues. The diverse range of delegations included PRI members, residents of border villages, traders’ federation, members of Pahadi, Gujjar Bakerwal, minority communities, farmers, transporters, media fraternity, and the Bar Association.
The Lieutenant Governor assured the delegations that their genuine issues and grievances would be addressed in a time-bound manner, underscoring the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of the people.
Regarding essential services, the Lieutenant Governor stated that electricity had reached far-flung areas, and work under the Jal Jeevan Mission had been expedited. He expressed optimism about achieving the target of providing ‘Nal Se Jal’ to all villages, panchayats, and households in the district by the end of this year, with 70 per cent of the work already completed.
Emphasizing upon the developmental boom witnessed in district Kupwara, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha during his second day of visit to the district highlighted the positive impact of people-centric policies and noted that such efforts have revitalized the district’s all-round development and provided a peaceful environment for the common citizens. He also noted the significant increase in tourist influx, while attributing the same to well-planned efforts.
Lieutenant Governor also launched a winter plantation drive as part of the Green J&K campaign. An impressive 8.5 lakh saplings are set to be planted in the district during this drive, highlighting the commitment to environmental conservation and green initiatives.
Earlier, during his visit, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid his respects at Mata Kheer Bhawani Asthapan Tikkar Kupwara. He prayed for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of J&K in particular and nation in general.
The Lieutenant Governor spent the night in Kupwara, where he continued to engage with various public delegations and officers, gaining valuable insights into the development needs of the district.
