Salwah, Sept 13: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana inaugurated completed development projects and laid foundation stones for new works aimed at strengthening roads, drinking water, education and healthcare infrastructure in Salwah.

During his visit, Rana reviewed ongoing works and was informed that projects worth around ₹70 crore are currently under execution in the block. He directed officers and executing agencies to ensure timely completion, quality construction and strict adherence to technical specifications.
Among the completed works inaugurated were the Nakka Salwah Road, macadamised at a cost of ₹90 lakh, and a new school building at Middle School Khorbani Salwah, constructed at a cost of ₹20 lakh.
Rana also laid the foundation stone for the Nakka Salwah–Nar Tarkhana Road under SASCI at an estimated cost of ₹2.40 crore, besides a Sub Centre building at Salwah under District CAPEX at ₹45 lakh.
Giving a major boost to drinking water infrastructure, foundation stones were laid for three Water Supply Schemes—Pathanteer (₹1.50 crore), Salwah Ghutna (₹89.50 lakh) and Salwah (₹6.34 crore)—under UT CAPEX.
The Minister stressed that better connectivity, reliable drinking water, healthcare and educational facilities are essential for inclusive rural development. He called for close inter-departmental coordination and regular field monitoring to remove bottlenecks and ensure projects deliver benefits to people without delay.
Under the “People’s Participation for a Better J&K” initiative, Rana also interacted with residents, students and other stakeholders at Government Higher Secondary School, Salwah. Locals raised issues concerning roads, water supply, healthcare, education and other basic amenities.
Rana assured the participants that their concerns would be taken up with the concerned departments on priority and directed officials to maintain transparent, responsive and time-bound engagement with the public.
“Development is meaningful only when it brings tangible improvements to people’s daily lives,” Rana said, reiterating the government’s focus on reaching rural and underserved communities with essential infrastructure and services.