Budgam, July 03: Marking a historical move, Tosamaidan, a renowned and picturesque tourist destination located in Budgam district, is set to receive its first-ever macadamised road connection. The Roads and Buildings department has commenced the macadamisation of a 7-kilometer stretch from the Gateway of Tosamaidan to Sitharan, officials said.Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Javid Ahmad, the Assistant Executive Engineer for the R & B Sub Division Khag said that the macadamisation of the road has begun.”Under the NABARD Project, we are undertaking the macadamisation of 12 kilometers from Tosamaidan to Sitharan. We have started the macadamisation on this particularly challenging stretch to complete the 7 kilometers in the first phase,” he said.Ahmad said that additional development works are also being carried out under this project, which is a crucial aspect of the initiative. Upon completion of the 7-kilometer stretch in the first phase, the second phase of macadamisation is scheduled to commence next year, which will provide Tosamaidan with a macadamised road connection.”We will ensure the completion of all tasks associated with this project. Once these projects are finalised and the macadamisation process is completed in the second phase, Tosamaidan will benefit from one of the best road connections under this initiative, allowing tourists and visitors to access this tourist spot in a shorter time frame,” AEE Khag added.He further said that the project is expected to be fully completed ahead of the deadline set by the Jammu and Kashmir Government.Meanwhile, the locals from the various villages of Khag expressed their gratitude to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Singh and the Jammu and Kashmir Government for promptly approving this project.”Once the Macadamisation process is fully completed under this initiative, Tosamaidan will emerge as an international tourist attraction in the Budgam district, thereby enhancing the tourism sector in the district. This will create livelihood opportunities for thousands of unemployed youth,” said Salam Ahmad, a local resident of Khag.