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Once a militant stronghold, Anantnag on road to development

Once a militant stronghold, the southern Kashmir district of Anantnag is fast moving on the road to reconstruction and development.

Farmers are busy harvesting paddy, gutted infrastructure is being rebuilt and the communication network is being strengthened with ten major bridges having been reconstructed and four important roads upgraded at a cost of Rs 306.6 million.

District Development Commissioner G A Peer unfolded the emerging scenario to a group to visiting newspersons. The visit was organised by the information department. He said the delay in the finalisation of the state plan by the Centre is not being allowed to come in the way of the reconstruction programme.

He said at least 10 major bridges, damaged by militants, have been reconstructed at a cost of Rs 140.5 million and the severed road links restored.

The reconstructed bridges include Khudwani bridge connecting Anantnag and Kulgam, Padshahi Bagh bridge connecting Bijbihara and Pahalgam, Kanganhal bridge between Acchabal and Radipora and Langnai bridge on Pahalgam road.

Peer said four major roads, including those between Anantnag-Pahalgam, Anantnag-Verinag, Qaimoh-Kadder and Kulgam-Shopian, were upgraded at a cost of Rs 166.1 million with the assistance of the National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development.

The DDC said that 67 gutted school buildings were reconstructed and another 55 were under reconstruction. During the past four years, 42 educational institutions were opened and 37 upgraded, he said. He said complete transparency was adopted in the appointment of about 300 teachers under the Rehbar-i-taleem programme.

Student enrolment had increased by 37,000 over the past four years. He said, at present, no school building in the district was under the occupation of security forces.

Peer said the medical facilities in the district were being consolidated and, with the appointment of 79 new doctors, the problem of understaffing in health institutions would be overcome.

He said fresh and dry fruit production had increased by 70 metric tons, taking the total production to 1.85 metric tons. Two fruit markets would be developed at Botangoo and Vessu adjacent to the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, he added.

Rice production has touched a new high of 117,000 tons, registering an increase of 46,000 tons during the same period. Vegetable, pulses and oil seeds production have also increased by 24,000 and 30,000 tons, respectively, he added.

The DDC said the district earned Rs 228 million in revenue by manufacturing 1.5 million cricket bats in the past four years. He said the 164 cricket bat units were providing employment to 1100 persons.

About the ex-gratia relief to victims of militancy, Per said 1635 cases had been cleared since 1996 and Rs 114.3 million provided as relief.

UNI

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