Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Saturday directed the NHAI to expedite remaining work on the Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway to meet timelines.
The Minister chaired a review meeting at Kathua with the district administration on the developmental projects.
The Juthana Bridge was identified for early completion, and plans for the completion of the Chattergala Tunnel and revival of the Ujh Multipurpose Project were discussed to enhance connectivity and water management.
Dr Jitendra Singh announced approval for a canal system on the Ujh River to check infiltration and utilise uncontrolled water flow towards Pakistan, which, he said, has been cleared by both the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In the healthcare sector, the Union Minister announced that radiation services will soon be operational at the Cancer Centre in Kathua, and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility has been sanctioned for Kathua Medical College, complementing the MRI services already available in Jammu, and providing advanced diagnostics for local patients.
Addressing the media, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working with a firm resolve to ensure ease of living for every citizen and to improve their quality of life, irrespective of political affiliation, caste, creed, or geographical region.
He said that inclusive development and last-mile delivery of government services remain the cornerstone of the Prime Minister’s governance model.
The Minister highlighted that, with the vision and guidance of Prime Minister Modi, Kathua has witnessed unprecedented development across multiple sectors over the last decade. He said several first-of-its-kind projects have been initiated in the district, transforming it into an emerging centre of education, healthcare, connectivity, and economic activity.
He pointed out that long-pending projects such as the Ujh Multipurpose Project and the Shahpur Kandi Dam, which had remained stalled for decades due to the politics of discrimination, were revived after Prime Minister Modi assumed office. He said these projects would not only contribute to regional development but also ensure effective utilisation of India’s rightful share of water resources that continue to flow unutilised to Pakistan.
Emphasising future-oriented development, the Minister said Kathua is being positioned to become a hub of education as well as a centre of business and entrepreneurship in the coming years.