DC reviews progress of key developmental projects in Kishtwar Town

• Emphasizes road safety, beautification and traffic decongestion measures

KISHTWAR:  Deputy Commissioner (DC)  Pankaj Kumar Sharma today reviewed the progress of major developmental and beautification projects underway in Kishtwar town here at meeting. The meeting focused on improving infrastructure, enhancing the town’s aesthetics and ensuring better urban management to meet the needs of residents and visitors.

To address the persistent issue of potholes and damaged roads, the DC directed the NHIDCL to undertake immediate patchwork and repairs along 6 km stretch within the town to prevent accidents and ensure smoother vehicular movement. He also took serious note of repeated digging for pipe-laying, which leads to degradation of blacktop roads. He ordered strict check on unauthorized and indiscriminate digging of lanes and roads. 

The GREF authorities apprised the DC that after a survey pothole filling has been initiated on the Kuldeed Chowk to 9 RR (4 km) road stretch and blacktopping work will commence shortly. The DC laid strong emphasis on the removal of encroachments and directed the enforcement departments to take strict legal action against violators. 

The Executive Officer (EO) of the Municipal Council informed that estimation and planning for developmental works in all 13 wards of the town have been initiated. To better organize the town’s street vending and ensure hygiene, the DC constituted a committee comprising CEO KDA, Tehsildar Kishtwar and CEO Municipal Council. The committee will identify feasible spots for establishing a dedicated ‘Rehri Zone’, where vendors will be registered and provided with licensed space and uniform-sized carts. The same committee will also identify key locations for installing dustbins as part of the town beautification initiative.

Further, the DC directed the Municipal Council to take concrete measures to maintain cleanliness and sanitation across all wards. He ordered the removal of illegal rehris from the ITI parking area and the establishment of ‘No-Rehri Zones’ to reduce traffic congestion. The Executive Engineer PWD was directed to remove old, damaged road dividers and install new dividers along the National Highway passing through the town.

The PHE Department was instructed to immediately repair all water pipe leakages and ensure smooth supply of clean drinking water. The DC called for strict action against the unauthorized water connection or damage to pipelines. In a move to enhance public safety, the ExEn JPDCL Kishtwar was asked to relocate electricity poles from drainage channels to appropriate and safer locations.

Lastly, the DC directed the ARTO, Traffic Police, and CEO Municipal Council to jointly conduct an audit to identify new parking zones across the town to mitigate congestion and improve traffic flow. The DC emphasized that the development and beautification of Kishtwar town will remain a top priority and all departments must work in coordinated synergy to achieve visible results on the ground.

The meeting was attended by ADC Kishtwar Pawan Kotwal, CEO KDA Kishtwar Kaiser Bhawani, ACR Kishtwar Idrees lone, ARTO Kishtwar Tasleem Wani, ExEn Jal Shakti Sunil Sharma, ExEn PWD Ravinder Kumar, DTI Kishtwar Mohd. Akhter, GM NHIDCL, YC GREF Kishtwar besides other Senior Officers and concerned staff.