Srinagar, Oct 15 (KNO): MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmed Shah on Thursday termed his two-year tenure satisfactory, claiming that development works undertaken during the period were comparable to those carried out in the constituency over the previous two decades.
Speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Shah said major projects promised to the people were being implemented, with tourism, healthcare, education, road connectivity and basic infrastructure among his priorities.
Highlighting tourism-related development in Gulmarg, Shah said initiatives included the establishment of what he described as Asia’s longest drag lift, a restaurant at Affarwat which he claimed was the world’s highest, revival of the heritage golf course, development of pedestrian walkways and improvement of parking facilities.
He said construction of a new hospital building and macadamisation of roads across the Gulmarg-Tangmarg belt had also been prioritised.
Shah said more than 400 people had benefited from livelihood opportunities linked to guide licences, helpers, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and other tourism services.
In Tangmarg, he said the hospital had been equipped with modern facilities and a laboratory, while other New Type Primary Health Centres (NTPHCs) in the constituency had been renovated.
On education, Shah said the degree college had been equipped with modern facilities and higher secondary schools upgraded as model institutions. He said 60 kindergartens had been opened, while additional accommodation had been created in middle and high schools. Fencing and playground facilities had also been developed, he added.
The MLA also highlighted the establishment of a fruit mandi in Tangmarg, saying it would provide better facilities to fruit growers and traders.
He said a reservoir had recently been sanctioned to support irrigation and drinking water needs, while efforts were underway to extend drinking water supply to every household and improve the road network.
Shah said development was an ongoing process and that his focus would remain on fulfilling commitments made to the people.
“My commitment is that by 2029, the Gulmarg constituency will be among the best in Kashmir,” he said—(KNO)