Seeks Chenab Valley Hill Development Council, better infrastructure, healthcare, education, and special relief package for disaster-hit areas
Asif Iqbal Naik
Srinagar, October 27:
Former Minister and senior Congress leader of Jammu and Kashmir, G. M. Saroori, called on Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha and submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting the developmental priorities and public grievances of the Chenab Valley region.
Saroori urged the administration to initiate immediate measures for equitable and inclusive development, emphasizing that despite being endowed with rich natural resources, the Chenab Valley continues to face neglect and underdevelopment.
During his meeting with the Lt Governor, Saroori expressed deep concern over the long-standing marginalization of the region—comprising Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts—and called for targeted policy interventions. He demanded the creation of a Chenab Valley Hill Development Council, on the pattern of Ladakh and Pir Panjal Councils, to ensure fair representation, decentralized decision-making, and region-specific development planning.
He reiterated the demand for the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that guarantees free electricity within a five-kilometre radius of the Dul Hasti Power Project in Kishtwar, as agreed earlier. Saroori also called for the immediate resumption of work on the Singhpora–Vailoo and Sudhmahadev tunnel projects, which would connect Chenab Valley with Anantnag, create an alternate route for the Amarnath Yatra, and significantly boost trade and tourism.
The former minister further urged the government to grant Pahari status to residents of the Chenab Valley, similar to the Pir Panjal region, to ensure equal access to government benefits, scholarships, and reservation policies. He also sought expedited completion and operationalization of the Government Medical College in Kishtwar, citing a critical shortage of medical infrastructure and specialist doctors.
In the education sector, Saroori demanded the sanctioning of new Government Degree Colleges for Bunjwah (Kishtwar) and Kahara (Doda), and early completion of the GDC building at Chatroo, which requires minimal work. He also called upon the Education Department to launch a special package for repair and upgradation of unsafe schools, particularly in remote and hilly areas such as Sigdi, Inderwal, Gurinal, Sarthal, Warwan, Tatani Saroor, and Kontwara.
Highlighting the vulnerability of certain regions to fire incidents, Saroori underscored the need for permanent Fire and Emergency Services units in Chatroo, Warwan, Bunjwah, and Kahara, saying that these areas face high fire risks due to the absence of permanent firefighting units and delayed emergency response. He maintained that setting up dedicated fire brigades in these regions would protect lives, property, and infrastructure, while improving overall disaster preparedness.
Calling for modern connectivity and infrastructure, Saroori urged the administration to speed up the fibre-optic network in Marwah and Warwan, and to improve roads, electricity, water supply, and healthcare facilities across the Chenab Valley. He also proposed a special police recruitment drive for border and remote areas to generate local employment and enhance representation in the security forces.
The memorandum further sought an immediate relief and rehabilitation package for areas affected by flash floods, cloudbursts, and heavy rainfall, including Chasoti (Padder), Chatroo, Mugalmaidan, Bunjwah, Margi (Warwan), and Chabba (Kahara).
Saroori asserted that despite its strategic location and abundant natural resources, the Chenab Valley continues to lag behind in development due to administrative neglect. He urged the Lt Governor for his personal intervention to address these genuine public demands and ensure balanced growth of all regions.
The Lt Governor gave a patient hearing to the issues raised and assured Saroori that necessary directions would be issued to the concerned departments for appropriate action.
