Srinagar, May 30
In an effort to reach out to people in far-flung areas of the state, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today visited Teetwal in Kupwara district on the Line of Control (LoC).

The Chief Minister drove to Teetwal after chairing a Cabinet meeting at Tangdar. As Teetwal village is located 16 km from Tangdar, Omar inspected works and took stock of the road stretch connecting the two areas.

Incidentally, Teetwal was badly affected by the earthquake that had shaken the remote area in October 2005. The Kishenganga river also flows through Teetwal and parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

“Inclusive development with focused attention on remote areas has been underlined as an important concern in the development policy of the government. The transfer of power and authority from the secretariat to the village level and involvement of people in decision-making is the government’s endeavour,” Omar said while interacting with locals of Teetwal village.

After receiving feedback on the state of the health, road communication, water supply and education sectors of the area, Omar promised to take up the issue of upgrade and improvement of the road between Tangdar and Teetwal at the “highest level” in the Central Government. The road is at present under the supervision and execution of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

He said issues related to improvement in the telecommunication and telephone services would also be taken up with the Centre. Omar passed directions for the creation of a facility centre at the Teetwal crossing point. He also directed for resolving land issues related to the establishment of Degree College, Tangdar. The District Development Commissioner was directed to identify land for a sports field at the nearby Karnah area. In Teetwal and Tangdar, Omar met various deputations of Gujjars, Auqaf Committee, panchayat members, local Congress committee, transporters, traders, labourers and Bar Association members. Minister for Finance Abdul Rahim Rather accompanied the Chief Minister during his visit to Teetwal.