Jammu, 23 August (H.S.): Member of Parliament for Jammu-Reasi, Jugal Kishore Sharma, alongside Samba MLA Surjeet Singh Slathia and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, kick-started the construction work for the double-lane Rail Over Bridge (ROB S-51) at the Gurha Morh - Gurha Slathia Railway Crossing. The ceremony took place in the presence of a massive public gathering, local representatives, and prominent community members.

Addressing the large gathering, MP Jugal Kishore Sharma expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw for sanctioning and initiating this critical infrastructure project. He highlighted that the railway crossing had long been a major bottleneck causing severe traffic delays for commuters, students, and emergency medical movement due to increasing train frequency. He emphasized that the Central leadership's prompt approval of ROB S-51 fulfills a vital regional demand, ensuring seamless transport for local residents as well as thousands of pilgrims travelling toward the holy shrines of Utterbehni and Purmandal.

MLA Surjeet Singh Slathia also complimented the Central Government and Union Railway Ministry for prioritizing crucial regional infrastructure projects. He noted that this overbridge, allotted to Pragati Construction Company at an estimated cost of approx. Rs 50 crore, will ease daily transit, accelerate commercial trade, and boost overall development across Samba district.

He said it will ease the travel of over 40,000 local residents, daily commuters, and pilgrims travelling to Utterbehni and Purmandal.

Harminder Singh Sidhu Deputy Chief Engineer Railway & Vijaynandan Pandey Executive Engineer RSP elaborated the project cost and specifications to the Member of Parliament and MLA on the stage.

The event concluded with enthusiastic presence of PRIs former DDCs Asha Rani,Shilpa Dubey,Senior leaders of BJP Jai Ram Sharma, Amit Dubey, Dheeraj Sharma,Vikas Slathia Mandal Presidents, Mohinder Pal,Ex Sarpanches-Panches and prominent citizens of the society.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar