Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated five completed development projects valued at Rs. 167.2 mn and laid foundation stones for two projects costing Rs. 415.4 mn in Ganderbal district on Thursday, taking the combined value of the works to Rs. 582.6 mn. The projects cover road connectivity, education, river crossing infrastructure and horticulture-related facilities.

The foundation stone for a bridge over the River Jhelum at Guzhama Shilwat was laid at an estimated cost of Rs. 390 mn. The bridge is intended to improve connectivity for residents in the area. Abdullah also initiated work on a multi-purpose auction platform at the Fruit and Vegetable Mandi in Zazuna, with an approved cost of Rs. 25.4 mn, to strengthen trading facilities for fruit and vegetable growers.

The completed projects include roads connecting Tehsil Bagh with Lar Bypass and Yanihama with Dangerpora, the Dar Mohalla Wattalbagh-Dangerpora road and allied links, and the upgraded road from Fatehpora Dak Bangloo to Gadoora Bridge. They also include a double-storey building at High School Gogjigund and the Pati Waskura-Kharbagh Bund road along the River Jhelum. The works were completed at a combined cost of Rs. 167.2 mn.

The Chief Minister reviewed the Srinagar Ring Road project at Dr Farooq Abdullah Environmental Park in Manigam. Engineers briefed him on the Pandaach-Manigam section, being executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at a cost of Rs. 2.91 bn. The 12.115-km project involves converting an existing two-lane road into a four-lane dual carriageway and includes bridges, a flyover, culverts and service roads. Completion is scheduled for May 2028.

Abdullah also reviewed the Sindh River Front and Municipal Town Hall projects. The first phase of the riverfront, approved at Rs. 48.3 mn, includes a protection wall, landscaping, a paved walkway, viewpoint, patio café and ornamental lighting. The Town Hall extension and upgrade has been approved at Rs. 30 mn. At Zazuna Mandi, he assessed harvest-season arrangements and heard growers’ concerns, directing officials to pursue appropriate resolutions.