EARTH NEWS SERVICE |Srinagar, Dec 6 |15: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Abdul Haq Khan today said that all out efforts will be made to bring Kupwara district especially Lolab valley on tourism map. He said this while inaugurating tourist huts in Khirhama area of Lolab valley. While addressing a gathering in Khirhama, Abdul Haq said Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is taking keen interest in making the Lolab valley an important tourist destination and tap the tourist potential of the area. He further said the connectivity to Lolab will be enhanced and in this regard Lolab-Bandipora road will be inaugurated soon and foundation stone of Kupwara-Lolab road will also be laid within few days. The minister also laid foundation of flood channels at Gund where bunds will be constructed using modern technology. He said the government has prioritized flood related works to provide safeguard in case of floods .adding that Prime Minister’s special package will help the state to develop a concrete flood protection infrastructure across the state that will include dredging of rivers and streams, construction of bunds and flood channels. Haq said it is for the first time that the funds in Rural Development Department are being used fruitfully to create productive assets catering to the requisite developmental needs .He said in the same way MGNREGA funds would also be utilized for sustainable development of the villages besides taking up flood related works. The minister said several initiatives are in pipeline to ensure all-round transformation of the developmental landscape of the state . He said judicious use of funds in RDD will be instrumental in changing socio-economic profile of the people living in the rural areas, besides creating much needed employment opportunities. Minister later reviewed the developmental works in the district and directed the concerned line departments to ensure timebound completion of the projects.
