Udhampur witnessed major development only in last 10 years: Union Minister Jitendra Singh
Udhampur, June 13
Highlighting infrastructure growth in the Udhampur-Kathua-Doda constituency, Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said that the region has witnessed significant development only in the last decade under the current government.
He said that several key projects have been established in Udhampur during this period, adding, "The area has only been developed in the last 10 years. If we talk about Udhampur, in these 10 years, the passport office has come up. The railway station was built. Two Vande Bharat trains started operating here."
He further highlighted upcoming infrastructure projects, stating, "The airport is about to open. The tender for it has been allotted in these very 10 years, a medical college was built here, a highway was built, and it takes 50 to 55 minutes to reach here from Jammu."
The Minister also pointed to improvements in education facilities, saying, "Kendriya Vidyalayas and degree colleges have been established in rural areas where there were previously no schools."
Criticising previous administrations, he added, "This area was neglected and ignored by the previous governments for many years. Due to regional discrimination, due to the policy of appeasement, this area never got priority."
He further said that Prime Minister Modi had addressed this gap in development, stating, " PM Narendra Modi had said that the areas which were left behind in the previous governments, those who were entitled to them, those who were not given the priority which they deserved, should be brought to an equal level. He fulfilled his word."
Earlier, on June 9, Jitendra Singh said that a new two-lane tube tunnel will be constructed parallel to the existing Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel on the Chenani-Nashri route along National Highway 44 in Jammu and Kashmir.
Announcing the development on X, Singh thanked the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari for approving the proposal.
"Another Good News for #Udhampur: Thanks to National Highway Authority of India #NHAI and #MORTH Minister Sh @Nitin_Gadkari for accepting our request and proposing the construction of a new two-lane tube tunnel parallel to the existing 'Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel' on Chenani-Nashri route along National Highway 44 in #Jammu And Kashmir," Singh said.
He said the new tunnel will significantly ease traffic congestion on the busy highway stretch and improve travel convenience.
"This will ease the increasing rush of traffic on this section and ensure ease of travel," he added.
"It may be recalled that the 'Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel' was inaugurated by PM Sh @Narendra Modi on April 2, 2017," he added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Mein ek local hu, aur development ka pata hai. Govt ne bhot kuch kiya hai, jaise medical college aur passport office. But ek baat samajhna zaroori hai: previous govts bhi apne time pe development karte the. Haan, unka focus shayad different tha. Aaj jab mein Udhampur se Jammu 50 minute mein pahunch sakta hoon, to pehle 3 ghante lagte the. Ye to big change hai. Par yeh bhi sach hai ki schools aur hospitals ki quality improvement ki abhi bhi zaroorat hai. Over-hyping na karein, but acknowledge karein jo ho raha hai. 😌
Honestly speaking, I’ve seen Udhampur transform over the years. But let’s not pretend everything is perfect. The minister criticizes "previous governments" but even the current one has a long way to go. I study in a local college, and the infrastructure is still poor—leaky classrooms, no proper labs. Yes, Vande Bharat and highways are good, but what about the youth? Jobs? Mental health support? These developments are visible, but deeper issues remain. Also, comparing with other regions, we still lag. A balanced approach needed. 🚨
Jitendra Singh ji ne sahi kaha. Udhampur me pichle 10 saal me jo development hui hai, wo pehle 60 saal me nahi hui thi. Main khud Udhampur se hoon aur yaad hai pehle kya haal tha. Aaj highways, railway station sab badhiya hai. Naya tunnel bhi traffic kam karega. Lekin ek baat—education me abhi bhi kaafi gap hai. KVS aaye hain, lekin quality improve karna padega. Aur ye "appeasement" ka mudda bhi thoda overdone hai. Humari awaaz suni jaye to behtar ho. Still, progress is visible. 👏
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