KATHUA, Jan 22: Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, as well as Earth Sciences, PMO, Atomic Energy, Space, and Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, inaugurated the important Nora Bridge along the Lakhanpur-Thein Road in the Basohli sector of Kathua district. This bridge, constructed at a cost of ₹1646.88 lakh, fulfills a long-standing public demand and significantly reduces travel time by approximately two hours.
During the event, Dr. Singh also announced the construction of nine additional underpasses and one flyover at Kalibari as part of an under-construction express corridor, responding to local residents’ requests.
Highlighting his achievements in his third term as MP under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership, Dr. Singh noted several significant developments in Kathua, including the completion of the long-awaited Juthana Bridge, the opening of North India’s first Centrally funded Homeopathic College, the approval of the ₹30,345 crore Chattergala project, and the transition of the Industrial Biotech Park to a PPP model. Other notable projects include the completion of the last phase of the Shahpur Kandi project and the revival of the century-old Ujh Multipurpose Project.
He emphasized that Kathua district had been overlooked by previous governments for political reasons, but recent years have seen the launch of various national projects and the revival of stalled initiatives.
Referring to the newly approved nine underpasses along the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Express corridor, Dr. Singh remarked that this demand was met just four days prior. He also outlined plans to establish Kathua as a major trade and tourism hub.
Addressing a public rally during the inauguration of the 191-meter-long Nora Bridge, which cost ₹1700 lakh, Dr. Singh stated that this double-lane bridge would alleviate travel difficulties for residents traveling from Bani to Basohli.
The bridge construction, necessitated by the submergence of a section of the Nora Nallah in Panchayat Thein of Kathua, reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing local travel convenience.
Dr. Singh shared that the Juthana Bridge is ready for inauguration soon, indicating the government’s dedication to developing previously neglected areas under Prime Minister Modi’s administration, aiming to bring these regions up to par with more developed areas.
In response to community concerns regarding livelihood, the government has decided to construct nine underpasses along the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Express Corridor, with specific locations including two at Dayala Check, two at Rajbagh, two at Chanrorian, and one at Koodah. An elevated flyover at Kalibari has also been proposed.
The Union Minister also announced the recent approval of the Chattergala project, estimated to cost ₹30,345 crore, which includes a strategic tunnel costing ₹4245 crore to connect Kathua with Doda via Basohli, Bani, and Bhaderwah.
Travel time between Doda and Kathua is expected to decrease significantly to just three hours, with proposals for a new DND connecting Doda and Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh.
Dr. Singh also highlighted new significant projects initiated in other regions of his Lok Sabha constituency over the past six months, including the Sudhmahadev Tunnel in Doda district, which will establish new road links to villages such as Humbal, Burgana, and his native village Kalhota that connect with the under-construction NH-224. He stated that these endeavors would be transformative for the region’s development.
