Ganderbal, Oct 15 (KNO): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the government is working to develop Sonamarg as a year-round tourism destination, with plans to promote rafting in summer and skiing, skating and other winter sports, as he inaugurated five development projects and laid foundation stones for two others worth a total of rupees 58.26 crore in Ganderbal.
During his visit, the Chief Minister also reviewed major infrastructure projects, including the Srinagar Ring Road, Sindh River Front and Municipal Town Hall and interacted with fruit growers at the Fruit and Vegetable Mandi in Zazuna.
“With the construction of the tunnel, Sonamarg is now accessible throughout the year. We want to promote rafting during summer and skiing, skating and other winter sports activities,” Omar, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), told the media persons.
The CM said he would work with Kangan MLA Mian Mehar Ali to further strengthen Sonamarg’s position on the tourism map. He added that while forest, environmental and wildlife clearances sometimes delay tourism projects, the government would follow the required procedures while developing new destinations.
Abdullah inaugurated five completed projects worth rupees 16.72 crore and laid foundation stones for two projects worth rupees 41.54 crore.
The projects include a bridge over the River Jhelum at Guzhama Shilwat, to be constructed at a cost of rupees 39 crore, and a multi-purpose auction platform at the Fruit and Vegetable Mandi, Zazuna, costing rupees 2.54 crore.
The five completed projects include roads connecting Tehsil Bagh with Lar Bypass and Yanihama with Dangerpora; the Dar Mohalla Wattalbagh–Dangerpora road and allied links; a double-storey building at High School Gogjigund; the upgraded road from Fatehpora Dak Bangloo to Gadoora Bridge; and the Pati Waskura–Kharbagh Bund road along the River Jhelum.
Speaking about the Jhelum bridge, the Chief Minister said test piling had been completed, and efforts were underway to meet the construction targets. “We aim to complete the pillars by April and the entire bridge by December next year,” he said.
Abdullah reviewed the Srinagar Ring Road project, where engineers briefed him on the ongoing construction and upgradation of the Pandaach–Manigam section.
The 12.115-kilometre project, being executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at a cost of rupees 290.51 crore, involves upgrading the existing two-lane road into a four-lane dual carriageway. It includes bridges, a flyover, culverts, service roads and slip roads, with completion scheduled for May 2028.
The CM also reviewed the Sindh River Front project, whose first phase has been approved at a cost of rupees 4.83 crore and includes a protection wall, landscaping, a paved walkway, a viewpoint, a patio cafe and ornamental lighting.
Reviewing the Municipal Town Hall upgrade and extension project, approved at rupees 3 crore, he directed officials to expedite the work and make the facilities available to the public at the earliest.
At the Fruit and Vegetable Mandi in Zazuna, the Chief Minister assessed arrangements for the ongoing harvest season and interacted with farmers and progressive growers. The growers apprised him of issues affecting their businesses and the horticulture sector, following which Omar assured them that their genuine demands would be taken up for appropriate resolution.
He said traders had also sought the expansion of the mandi, construction of a boundary wall and a grade separator. The matter had been discussed with NHAI officials, while other demands had been noted for necessary action.
On the demand for fencing the Power Development Corporation (PDC) canal following repeated incidents involving loss of human lives, Omar said the matter would be taken up with the concerned authorities. “If the decision were within my authority, I would have announced it here. We will raise the public demand with the concerned authorities,” he said.
Regarding pending compensation cases related to National Highway projects, he said newly appointed Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Shreya Singhal would examine the matter after settling into her responsibilities.
On traffic congestion caused by Chinar trees along the Beehama–Kheer Bhawani road, CM Abdullah acknowledged the difficulties faced by commuters and stressed the need for a practical solution. “Development and environmental protection must go hand in hand. We may have to remove some trees and plant eight to ten Chinar trees elsewhere, away from roads,” he said.
The Chief Minister also referred to the 70th National School Sports event being held at the College of Physical Education in Ganderbal, where students from across the country are participating in Wushu and Taekwondo competitions.
Reiterating his stand on land acquisition, Omar said written agreements signed with affected families would be honoured. “Whatever commitments were made in the signed agreements will be implemented,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Ministers Sakeena Itoo and Javid Dar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Shreya Singhal and other senior officers, engineers and departmental heads accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit—(KNO)