UDHAMPUR: MLA Chenani-Ghordi, Balwant Singh Mankotia, on Sunday laid the foundation stone and performed bhoomi pujan for two major development projects worth Rs 17.40 Crore in the constituency, including reconstruction of the Tordi (Bant) Bridge and construction of the Tordi-Rammal (Upper Ladda) PMGSY road.
The projects are aimed at strengthening road connectivity and addressing long-pending demands of the people of the area.
The Tordi (Bant) Bridge, being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 5.40 Crore, is of particular importance for the local population. The bridge was washed away in last year’s floods, causing severe inconvenience to local residents and school-going children who were forced to cross the Tawi River under difficult and unsafe conditions.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Mankotia said that he had been consistently pursuing the reconstruction of the bridge with the concerned departments and authorities. He said the commencement of the work would provide much-needed relief to the people and restore safe connectivity in the area.
“This bridge is not just a construction project but an important link for the safe movement of thousands of people and better connectivity,” Mankotia said.
The MLA also laid the foundation stone for the Tordi to Rammal (Upper Ladda) PMGSY road, which will be constructed at a cost of around ₹12 crore.
The road was a long-pending demand of the local residents. Once completed, it is expected to provide better connectivity to the adjoining villages and facilitate access to education, healthcare, transportation and other essential services.
Local residents welcomed Mankotia and expressed gratitude for initiating the two projects, saying that their longstanding demands were finally being addressed.
Mankotia also expressed gratitude to the Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing a ₹1,430-crore flood relief package for Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the financial assistance would help accelerate reconstruction and development in flood-affected areas. He added that the Central Government was committed to the development of Jammu and Kashmir and addressing the concerns of the people.
Mankotia assured the people of Chenani-Ghordi that efforts to resolve their basic issues and expedite development works in the constituency would continue. He said fulfilling genuine public demands on priority would remain his commitment and development works would be taken forward with renewed pace.
