Rajouri/Jammu,December 28 (Scoop News) – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today demanded National Highway (NH) status for Mugal Road for the socio-economic growth of the residents of twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. Party observed that this historical road, if granted NH status, would not only boost economy of the people of this region but also emerge as an alternative route to connect Jammu with Kashmir.
Addressing a public meeting at Rajouri town, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Sartaz Madani reminded the gathering that it was during the regime of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that construction of this historical road was restarted. “Construction on this dream project had remained halted for years together and it was Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who had not only restarted work on this road but also had arranged special funds for the earlier completion of the this road”, Madani said and maintained that after starting of routine traffic on this road, socio-economic conditions of the people of Poonch and Rajouri districts would be changed.
He further emphasized on opening more routes to enhance connectivity between different regions of the State. He said that expanding road network would help in improving socio-economic conditions of the people of backward and neglected areas.
He said that during the tenure of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, special developmental projects were formulated for the backward and inaccessible areas of the State.
Speaking on the occasion, vice president of the party Trilok Singh Bajwa told that during three years tenure of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed many developmental projects were started in remotest areas of Poonch and Rajouri. He, however, regretted that the present dispensation headed by Omar Abdullah has miserably failed to carry forward the agenda of equitable development in the State. “The present dispensation has reversed the process of development”, he observed and pointed out that the government has even failed to complete many developmental projects which were started by the previous regime. Bajwa pointed towards the revolutionary steps taken by the previous regime on education sector especially in Rajouri district. He mentioned towards opening of Baba Ghulam Shah Badhshah University at Rajouri which has been emerged as biggest centre of learning in this region.
He stated that besides opening a number of higher secondary schools, new degree colleges were also opened in Thanamandi, Budhal, Kalakote and Nowshera.
Former Minister and MLA Bijbehara, Abdul Rehman Veeri in his address observed that Mugal road would change economic conditions of the people of this region. He stressed that besides giving NH status to this road, this belt should be brought under tourist map. “This region has huge tourism potential and there is a need to explore this potential to improve socio-economic conditions of the people”, he said and emphasized on creating adequate infrastructure to attract tourists in this belt.
Veeri observed that by bring this belt on tourism map job opportunities for local youth would also be created because new avenues of employment would be opened after influx of tourists on this road.
Balbir Singh, general secretary, Choudhary Zulfikar, MLA Darhal, Hussain Ali Wafa, Shahzad Khan, zonal president Rajouri, Mohammad Shafi Dar, Tajeem Dar, Ahsan Mirza, general secretary youth wing, Anjum Mirza, district president youth wing, Ashok Sharma, Iqbal Shah, Tahir Lone, Zubair Shah, Shamim Akther and others addressed the meeting.