J&K's Kathua set for express corridor, gas pipeline, new homoeopathy college

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday announced a series of projects for Jammu & Kashmir's Kathua district, including its connection to the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra express corridor and a gas pipeline network, saying the moves would improve connectivity, support industrial growth and expand access to clean energy.

Addressing a public gathering in Kathua district as part of an outreach programme marking 12 years of the PM Narendra Modi-led government, Singh also said the tender for a proposed homoeopathy college in Kathua has been floated and that the foundation stone will be laid soon. He added that the process of transferring land for the proposed Arun Jaitley Stadium in Hiranagar is underway.

Singh said the express corridor would significantly improve regional connectivity and economic activity in the district.

"Kathua will soon be connected through Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Express Corridor, substantially enhancing regional connectivity and boosting economic activities," he said.

He also said a gas pipeline project for Kathua is in the pipeline and is expected to be implemented shortly, giving residents and industries cleaner and more efficient energy access.

On the proposed homoeopathy college, the minister said the tender has already been floated and the foundation stone for the institution will be laid soon. Speaking about the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Hiranagar, he said the land transfer process is underway and that the stadium would provide modern facilities for young sportspersons and promote sports culture in the region.

Highlighting the Centre's work over the past 12 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh said a culture of transparent, accountable and development-oriented governance has emerged across the country.

He said schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, PM SVANidhi Scheme and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana have improved livelihoods, widened access to credit and encouraged entrepreneurship.

Referring to Kathua's changes over the past decade, Singh said the district has moved from being a neglected border town to a centre of industrial growth, healthcare, education, innovation and connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the installation of Maharaja Gulab Singh's statue, the setting up of a Passport Office, engineering and medical colleges, north India's first seed processing plant, a biotechnology industrial park and the proposed homoeopathy medical college have strengthened the district's education and research base.

He added that the Government Medical College in Kathua has improved access to quality healthcare and reduced the need for patients to travel outside the district for advanced treatment.

Singh also referred to projects such as the Shahpur Kandi Project, the Ujh Multipurpose Project and the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, saying these would improve connectivity, irrigation and economic growth in the region.

He further said the introduction of two Vande Bharat Express trains in Jammu and Kashmir was a major step in modern transport and better connectivity for people in the Union Territory.

Overall, the minister presented the road, energy, education, healthcare and sports projects as part of a wider push to strengthen Kathua's infrastructure and economic growth.

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