Kathua, June 18: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday said that Udhampur-Kathua-Doda is the “most developed” among the 550 parliamentary constituencies in the country.
This constituency has seen tremendous development in the last nine years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said while addressing a public rally here.
On the occasion, a Coffee Table Book depicting major projects brought by Dr Jitendra Singh as MP over the last nine years was released by Union Minister Hardip Singh Puri who was on Lok Sabha Pravas.
Dr Singh said the ‘Udhampur-Doda-Kathua’ is the only parliamentary constituency in India having three Centrally-funded medical colleges and the best infrastructure. “This constituency has earned its name in India and in the world as the birthplace of ‘Purple Revolution’ which has given rise to more than 3000 Agri-tech Start-ups not only in J&K but across the country. It has all the potential to contribute in the startup movement promoted by PM Narendra Modi,” he said.
Enumerating various infrastructural developments that have taken place in the last many years in this constituency, the union minister said, “The highest railway bridge in the world, highest than the Eiffel Tower, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookherjee tunnel, the longest road tunnel in the world, the first highway village in India, the Devika Rejuvenation Project, North India’s first biotech park, National Institute of High Altitude Medicine, 10 iconic destination Reasi are located in this constituency making it an infrastructural marvel in the country.”
In terms of road and highway development in this constituency, he said, “The Vande- Bharat Express from Katra to Delhi, North India’s first-ever Cable-Stayed Bridge Atal Setu, J&K’s first inter-State bridge at Keerian-Gandyal, North India’s first Express Road Corridor from Delhi to Katra via Kathua, the new National Highway from Lakhanpur-Bani-Basohli-Doda via Chattargala Tunnel, construction of more than 200 bridges in this constituency, establishment of Kendriya Vidyalayas, engineering colleges under RUSA, and passport office has made this constituency best ever connected leading to its tremendous development compared to the other constituencies in the country.”
Udhampur district, located in this constituency, has stood number one in the country in terms of construction of roads under PMGSY, Dr Jitendra said, adding, “With the establishment of an Inter Modal Station (IMS) at Katra, a world-class state-of-the-art project in this constituency will not only improve the travelling experience of the pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine but will open numerous opportunities in terms of employment, trade, etc for the people.”.
