Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday conducted a marathon Public Durbar in the remote and hilly town of Bani in Kathua district, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transparent, accountable, and people-centric governance.
The over two-hour-long public interaction drew a large number of citizens, grassroots representatives, and local officials, offering a direct platform for grievance redressal and feedback.
As part of his continued outreach across the Udhampur-Doda-Kathua Parliamentary constituency, Dr Singh emphasised the need to bridge the gap between governance and the people. He said such initiatives not only help resolve long-pending issues but also instil public confidence in the administration.
The entire district administration, including senior officials from departments such as PWD, PHE, Health, Education, and PMGSY, was present at the Durbar. Several issues raised by individuals and public delegations were addressed on the spot, while others were marked for time-bound resolution with specific instructions issued by the Minister.
During the interactive session, the Minister also reviewed the follow-up action taken on issues raised during earlier visits. He assured the public that he would personally monitor the progress of all pending matters brought to his notice.
In a separate high-level meeting with administrative and police officials, Dr Singh reviewed the security situation in the region, especially in light of recent armed encounters. He stressed the importance of proactive deployment of security forces in sensitive areas, noting that it helps boost public morale and trust. Officials assured him that paramilitary forces would be deployed at vulnerable points as requested by local residents.
In a major infrastructure announcement, Dr Singh directed immediate steps to replace the decades-old “Jhoola” bridge in the heart of Bani town, which, despite being unsafe, continued to be widely used. He instructed the administration to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR), with funding to be partly arranged from his MPLAD Fund.
Another significant announcement was the widening of the Dhar Road—a vital route both for commuters and security forces—underscoring its strategic and logistical importance.
Responding to media queries, Dr Singh provided an update on the much-anticipated Chattergala Tunnel project. The 6.8 km tunnel, he said, will serve as an all-weather alternative road linking Lakhanpur and Doda via Bani, drastically cutting travel time and boosting tourism and employment opportunities in the region.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Singh said, “Elected representatives must not only resolve public issues but also ensure the people feel heard and valued. Public Durbars like this are among the most effective ways to strengthen the connection between citizens and their government.”
He reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusive and transparent governance, inspired by Prime Minister Modi’s mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. These outreach efforts, he said, cut across regional and political lines, bringing governance to every doorstep.
Dr Jitendra Singh has been regularly touring his constituency, making governance more accessible and responsive. These grassroots interactions, he said, are essential to strengthening public trust and ensuring that development reaches even the remotest corners.