11/12/2025
MLA Sajjad Shaheen Lays Foundation Stone of 1.8 Crore Motorable Bridge; innaugrated Several other Projects in Banihal;
Dedicated Water Cooler to SDH Banihal under CDF ;
Banihal, 11 December : National Conference leader and MLA Banihal, Mr. Sajjad Shaheen, today laid the foundation stone of Lonepora bridge and inaugurated the Gugthal Motorable Bridge, constructed at an combined estimated cost of 209 Lakh . He also kick-started several irrigation and flood protection works at a combined estimated cost of 125 lakhs across the Banihal–Gool Assembly constituency, giving a major boost to agricultural and rural infrastructure in the region.
The irrigation works, taken up at Chachaal, Chareel, Takia, Darshipora, Tethar, Kuthtal, Bankoot, Danar, Khairkoot under the Jal Shakti Department, are aimed at strengthening the irrigation network and providing reliable water facilities to farmers who have long awaited these improvements.
During his visit, Mr. Shaheen also dedicated a new Water Cooler to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Banihal, funded under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), to ensure clean drinking water for patients, attendants, and staff. He described the installation as a “small but meaningful step toward creating a more patient-friendly environment at SDH Banihal.”
Speaking to locals and officials on the occasion, Mr. Shaheen said that the development works undertaken today are part of a larger, year-long effort to accelerate infrastructure growth in Banihal–Gool. He stated that the constituency has witnessed “unprecedented development” over the past one year, with significant progress across roads, irrigation, health, education, and rural infrastructure.
He recalled that in recent months, several major road projects were started and inaugurated across Banihal and Gool, including multiple road works and two newly constructed roads dedicated to the people of Gool. He also highlighted the foundation stones laid for Panchayat Ghars, along with various works executed under the Rural Development Department, aimed at improving community assets at the grassroots level.
Referring to irrigation, Mr. Shaheen noted that multiple kool development works and water supply improvements had been taken up during the year. The projects launched today, he said, would further strengthen the agricultural backbone of the region.
He further stated that both the health and education sectors have received focused attention, with continued efforts to upgrade health facilities and improve educational infrastructure. He added that administrative sanction had recently been accorded for a series of infrastructure development projects in the education sector, including digital classroom initiatives to modernize learning environments in government schools.
Mr. Shaheen expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Government for their continuous support and timely approval of projects. He said that such cooperation has ensured steady and visible progress on the ground. Reaffirming his commitment, he assured that the pace of development would continue uninterrupted and that every area of the Banihal–Gool constituency would receive equitable attention.
He further informed the public that more initiatives are in the pipeline, with a continued focus on improving connectivity, strengthening public services, and uplifting rural communities across the constituency.
Officers of Jal Shakti Department, PWD, Health, besides other departments, and prominent party functionaries accompanied the MLA during the visit.
