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New Delhi : Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said here on February 13, 2022, that the historic River Devika project, being built at the cost of over Rs 190 crore, will be complete by June this year.

North India’s first river rejuvenation project will offer a unique destination both for pilgrim tourists as well as recreation tourists, in addition to being a state-of-the-art cremation centre, he said. This will bring Udhampur prominently on India’s map, he added.

Comparing it with the pioneer “NamamiGange” project of the Central Government, Dr Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sanctioning the Devika project, which was formally launched by Modi during his visit to Jammu in early 2019. He said it is now the responsibility of all of us to accomplish this project by June this year at any cost, according to a PIB release.

The project includes the construction of three sewage treatment plants of 8 MLD, 4 MLD, and 1.6 MLD capacity, sewerage network of 129.27 km, development of two cremation ghats, protection fencing and landscaping, small hydropower plants, and three solar power plants. On completion of the project, the rivers will see reduction in pollution and improvement in water quality.

Later, speaking to media after presiding over the DISHA meeting, Dr Singh said that the country’s first Highway Village being constructed by NHAI is coming up on fast track on Udhampur National Highway and the Centrally funded Medical College will start its classes next year through NEET selection.

Udhampur-Kathua-Doda is possibly the only Lok Sabha constituency in the country which got three centrally funded Medical Colleges at Udhampur, Kathua, and Doda respectively with the efforts of Dr Singh as its MP.

To review the physical/Financial achievements of the programme/schemes being implemented in the District Udhampur covered under DISHA , Dr Singh chaired a District Development Coordination & Monitoring Committee Meeting (DISHA) at Conference Hall DC Office Complex Udhampur.

DDC Chairperson, Udhampur Lal Chand, DDC Vice Chairperson, Juhi Manhas, Pathania, Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Indu Kanwal Chib, SSP, Vinod Kumar, BDCs, President MC, Dr Jogeshwar Gupta, MC Ramnagar, MC Chenani, DDCs and other nominated members of DISHA Committee i. e. PRIs, Women, representatives of ST, SC,NGO besides District/Sectoral Officers of different departments attended the meeting on the occasion.