J&K Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary Pushes for Border Development During R.S. Pura Tour; Orders Inquiry into Bridge Design
JAMMU, MARCH 08: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary conducted an extensive tour of the R.S. Pura border belt today to evaluate ongoing developmental projects and engage directly with local residents.
During a day-long public outreach program at Village Sai, the Deputy CM emphasized the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, directing departments to identify land for a new Community Hall and an Industrial Estate.
He explicitly stated that industrial expansion would utilize available government land rather than encroaching on farmer-owned property, ensuring that the agricultural backbone of the region remains protected while modern infrastructure is strengthened.
Focusing on economic empowerment, the Deputy CM called for a robust expansion of skill development initiatives to provide local youth with better livelihood opportunities.
He instructed the Labour and Employment Department to organize immediate registration camps, urging residents to sign up for labor cards to access vital welfare benefits, including marriage assistance, educational scholarships, and health insurance.
Earlier in the day, he visited the Baba Hare Peer Dargah to pray for regional peace and prosperity before shifting his focus to critical infrastructure inspections at Sai Kalan.The tour took a stern turn when the Deputy CM inspected the restoration of the Hare Peer Bridge.
Expressing serious dissatisfaction with the project’s execution and technical shortcomings, he ordered an official inquiry into its design and the subsequent delays. He underscored that permanent restoration and infrastructure protection must be prioritized to ensure reliable connectivity for border communities.
Additionally, he reviewed the construction of the Sai Fagal Bridge over Aik Nallah, demanding that executing agencies accelerate their pace to meet completion deadlines.Throughout the outreach session, local residents raised pressing concerns, including ownership rights for West Pakistan Refugee (WPR) allottees, improvements to the irrigation network—specifically the D-17 and Jagobal canals—and requests for electricity bill relief for farmers working beyond the border fencing.
Other grievances touched upon the need for better sanitation, e-bus services, and the verification of individual border bunkers. Accompanied by MLA Suchetgarh Gharu Ram Bhagat and senior engineering officials, the Deputy CM assured the public of prompt action, mandating that officers fast-track the resolution of these issues to improve the quality of life in Jammu’s border regions.