WAJAHAT SHABIR
Ganderbal: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the government was working to accelerate development in Ganderbal, with projects worth around ₹60 crore inaugurated or taken up for foundation laying during his visit to the district.
The Chief Minister said a major bridge over the Jhelum River, estimated to cost ₹40 crore, was among the key infrastructure projects underway in the area. He said test piling had been completed and the government aimed to construct the bridge’s pillars by April, targeting completion for December next year.
Apart from the bridge, Abdullah said, several roads and a new school building were also inaugurated, while development demands concerning the fruit and vegetable mandi were discussed with officials.
During his visit to the mandi, traders raised issues related to its expansion, construction of a boundary wall and the need for a grade separator to ease traffic movement. Abdullah said the demands had been noted and discussed with officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), expressing hope that the concerns would be addressed. The Chief Minister also referred to pending compensation-related issues, saying the new Deputy Commissioner, Priya, would examine the matter after settling into her assignment. He said the issue had earlier been handled by the previous Deputy Commissioner, Jitendra, who has been transferred to Baramulla.
On demands for wire fencing at a site under the Welfare Corporation, Abdullah said the matter would be taken up with the corporation for the release of funds, as the decision did not fall directly within his authority. Abdullah acknowledged that Chinar trees had become a challenge for road expansion and traffic management in Ganderbal, particularly as the population and vehicular movement had increased.
He said the proposed alternate road connecting the hospital through the dairy area could also face difficulties because of the presence of Chinar trees. The Chief Minister maintained that the government did not intend to destroy the trees but said practical solutions were needed to address the growing traffic burden. He argued that infrastructure requirements had changed since the trees were planted and suggested that, wherever cutting became unavoidable, additional Chinar trees could be planted at suitable locations away from roads.
Abdullah also said the government was preparing projects to develop Sonamarg as a year-round tourist destination, with improved connectivity through the tunnel making winter tourism more feasible. He said Sonamarg had traditionally remained closed during winter, restricting tourism activity and limiting the scope for developing winter infrastructure. With all-weather access now improved, the government was looking at new destinations and facilities for adventure sports.
The Chief Minister said he wanted to work with MLA Mian Mehar Ali to establish Sonamarg as a major adventure tourism hub, offering rafting during summer and skiing and skating during winter. He said projects were being prepared to support these activities and extend tourism beyond the conventional summer season.
Meanwhile, Abdullah said Ganderbal was hosting the 70th National School Sports event at the College of Physical Education, with participants from different parts of the country competing in Wushu and Taekwondo He expressed hope that the event would be successful, adding that children in the region had shown a keen interest in both sports.
