Chamb, Oct 3 (JKNS): Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FS&CA), Information Technology (IT), Youth Services & Sports, and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma, on Saturday undertook an extensive tour of the Chhamb Assembly Constituency, inaugurating and laying foundation stones for a series of development works wroth more than 3 cr aimed at strengthening basic infrastructure, improving connectivity and enhancing public amenities across the constituency.
The day-long programme covered several villages and habitations, with the Minister personally reviewing the progress and requirements of infrastructure works and interacting with local residents.
The development initiatives included roads, culverts, drainage and protection works, community infrastructure and educational facilities, reflecting a focused approach towards addressing the immediate infrastructure needs of the people.
At Migrant Colony, Kodewala Camp, Satish Sharma laid the foundation stone for construction of a park and inaugurated the newly constructed drains, aimed at improving the local environment, drainage management and public amenities for residents.
The Minister also laid the foundation stone for construction of a link road from Kharah to Thanda Choa, underlining the importance of improved road connectivity for facilitating movement of people and access to essential services.
At Village Kalah, the Minister inaugurated protection works near the house of Madan Lal, Ex-Punch, followed by inauguration of protection works at Mohalla Chatyala. The works are intended to strengthen vulnerable stretches and protect residential and public infrastructure.
At Village Jawan, Satish Sharma laid the foundation stone for construction of a culvert near Atta Chakki and inaugurated a Community Hall.
He said that community infrastructure plays an important role in providing people with accessible spaces for social, public and community activities and called for ensuring that such facilities are completed within stipulated timelines and maintained properly.
At Mohalla Thakur Dass, the Minister inaugurated protection works on the Mageri to Rajani Road, aimed at safeguarding the road and improving its long-term functionality.
The Minister’s visit to Dhakkar included multiple important development interventions. He inaugurated protection works on the link road from Narbeda to Dhakkar, inaugurated a Community Hall, and laid the foundation stone for construction of an Examination Hall at Government Higher Secondary School, Dhakkar.
He also inaugurated a culvert at Village Dhakkar.
Emphasising the importance of educational infrastructure, Satish Sharma said that investment in facilities for students is an investment in the future of the region. He stressed that the proposed examination hall would provide students with improved infrastructure and a more conducive academic environment.
Speaking during the tour, Satish Sharma said that development must be visible on the ground and directly benefit the people.
He directed the concerned agencies to maintain strict quality standards, ensure timely execution and undertake regular monitoring of ongoing works. He said that public money must translate into durable and useful assets and that developmental projects should not face avoidable delays.
The Minister emphasised that road connectivity, drainage, protection infrastructure and community facilities constitute the basic framework of development, particularly in rural and peripheral areas, and assured that such requirements would continue to receive focused attention.
He said that the Government is committed to taking development to the grassroots and addressing infrastructure gaps in a systematic manner.
During the visit, Satish Sharma also interacted with local residents and listened to their concerns and development-related issues.
He assured the people that their genuine demands would be examined with the concerned departments and that necessary interventions would be pursued for their timely resolution.
The Minister maintained that people’s participation and continuous feedback are essential for ensuring that development planning remains aligned with ground realities.
He called upon the executing agencies and field functionaries to remain responsive to public concerns and maintain close coordination while implementing development works.
