Akhnoor, Dec 25: Senior BJP leader and District Development Council (DDC) member Pandit Suresh Sharma on Thursday inaugurated two road projects worth ₹40 lakh in Block Maira Mandrian, addressing long-standing demands of residents in the rural belt.
The inaugurated works include the Gharatal–Keri road in Panchayat Gharatal and the Kamani road in Panchayat Kathar. The projects are expected to ease daily travel and improve access to essential services for villagers.
Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said efforts are being made to extend the Gharatal–Keri road up to Godan to further strengthen road connectivity in the area. He also stated that the Kathar–Gaida Khadd road, linking Jammu and Reasi districts, has been completed during his tenure, reducing travel time between the two regions.
The DDC member informed that road construction works amounting to ₹15 crore are currently underway in Guda Panada village and are scheduled for completion by March. He added that under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase-IV, a road project costing ₹28 crore connecting Juthal–Balsaro with the Guda Panada road has been approved.
Sharma further said that several road projects under PMGSY-IV, NABARD and the State Sector are in the pipeline. Detailed project reports have already been submitted, and implementation is expected to begin in the coming months.
The occasion also marked the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to whom Sharma paid tributes, recalling his contribution to rural road development through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
Local residents expressed satisfaction over the ongoing infrastructure works. BJP leaders, departmental officers and local representatives were present during the inauguration.
