Kupwara-Kashmir, February 01 (Scoop News) – Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said, “Effective rail link between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad will help make this route between two parts of Kashmir more viable, popular and worth all types of trade and commerce.”
Omar Abdullah was addressing a gathering at Aloosa, Kupwara.This was a huge gathering held in the border district in the recent past attended by a record number of people.
“It is very necessary to establish people to people contact for ensuring everlasting peace and tranquility besides turning these borders and lines as abode of love and mutual friendship”, he maintained.
The Chief Minister was addressing after laying foundation of 220 meter long bridge being constructed over Khemal Nallah at an estimated cost of Rs.6.85 crore. The bridge would be completed in two years.
Omar Abdullah said, “We are very eager to connect the hearts of people and promote friendship and love between the two countries”. He prayed for translating this dream into reality.
The Chief Minister said that the matter regarding rail link between Kupwara-Baramulla and Kupwara-Tangdhar besides Rajouri-Poonch and Doda was taken up in a meeting held recently at Jammu with the Railway authorities. He said Baramulla-Kupwara rail link project report is ready and release of funds were needed for the purpose. He said the J&K Congress President, Professor Saif-ud-Din Soz and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and NC President, Dr. Farooq Abdullah have also taken up this matter with the concerned authorities.
Omar Abdullah said that no doubt that after passing through a long tunnel of turmoil during the past two decades, which has adversely affected development, Kashmir has not remained a developmental issue only but all aspects including political had to be addressed for everlasting peace and tranquility. He said the Coalition Government in the State and the Central Government have already initiated measures to resume dialogue process so that a lasting solution of the issue is found, which would help to develop Jammu and Kashmir on all fronts.
Regarding socio-economic development of Kupwara district, the Chief Minister said that due to the past two decades situation, much attention could not be given towards this district. He assured that the Government will ensure all possible measures for the overall development of the district. He said 8 bridges are already under execution in various areas of the district at a cost of Rs. 20 crore.
The Chief Minister announced setting up of a Polytechnic College at Kupwara, adding that the work on it would be taken up soon.
The Chief Minister said that he has asked the District Development Commissioner to conduct a survey of drought hit areas in the district so that the sufferers are provided three months free ration.
Omar Abdullah appealed the people to pray for snow, peace and prosperity of the State.
Referring to the un-employment problem, the Chief Minister said that Government has already announced an employment package to tackle this problem on various fronts.
The Minister for PHE and Irrigation Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for R&B G.M. Saroori, Advisor to Chief Minister Mubarak Gul, Ministers of State, Nasir Aslam Wani and Javaid Ahmed Dar, MP, Sharif-ud-Din Shariq and MLA Kupwara, Mir Saifullah, also spoke on the occasion.
MLA Kupwara highlighted the problems and demands of the district, particularly Kupwara constituency.