"We strongly advocate for construction of proposed 5-Km long Chatroo-Singpora-Vailoo tunnel connecting Kishtwar with Kashmir valley," Rather, who is Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affiars, said while addressing a large public gathering at Chatroo in District Kishtwar today.
Rather said the completion the tunnel "will go a long way in developing a mega tourist circuit between Pahalgam-Baderwah- Lakhanpur-Himachal Pradesh, thereby bringing socio-economic prosperity in the entire region."
The minister assured the people of Kishtawar that he would personally take up this long pending demand of the people with concerned higher authorities at central and state level.
Rather said that apart from huge power potential, the Chenab Valley is also endowed with the vast treasure of hydel resources, which if tapped fully would make the state self sufficient in power and also allow it to sell surplus to other parts of the state.
He said under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah a determined effort has been made to harness this hydel potential of the state in a big way adding that J&K Hydroelectric Projects Development Policy 2011 was approved by the state cabinet under which ten projects of 172 MW capacity were tendered out.
Power projects in Chenab Basin will change the destiny of the people of this beautiful valley,Rather said and assured the people of the district that the government will leave no stone unturned to redress their genuine grievances at the earliest.
