Doda District Receives Major Boost in Rural Roads Under PMGSY Phase‑IV
(Dated Dec. 27 – IANS) The hilly district of Doda in Jammu and Kashmir is set for a significant upgrade in its road network as part of the first batch of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Phase‑IV. The central government has earmarked roughly 31 new road sections for the area, a move that is expected to transform connectivity for many remote villages.
According to Zakir Hussain Zargar, the Executive Engineer heading the PMGSY division in Doda, the tendering process has recently wrapped up and 26 of the projects have been awarded to contractors. Work is underway on 20 of these roads, while construction on the remaining six is slated to commence shortly. Zargar added that he is hopeful the government will soon approve Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for villages that have yet to be linked, thereby widening the reach of the road network.
He noted that about 70 % of Doda’s terrain is mountainous—a fact that has historically made road building a tough proposition. Poor connectivity has long left residents of isolated towns struggling to reach essential services such as health care, schools, and markets. The new PMGSY initiatives appear to be turning that tide.
Residents are already feeling the impact. Many say that emergency travel and daily commutes have become safer and more manageable, especially when winter conditions used to make routes impassable. “Before, getting to the nearest hospital was a real challenge, especially during bad weather,” a local village head told IANS. “Now, the roads are a lifeline.”
Sajad Malik, a trader from the district, emphasized the broader economic benefits. “Improved roads will help us transport goods more efficiently, which in turn fuels local trade and opens up new opportunities for people,” he explained. “It’s not just about mobility; it’s a catalyst for the district’s overall development.”
With these Phase‑IV projects, Doda’s remote communities are being bridged to larger towns, laying a foundation for long‑term social and economic progress. The new roads are already proving instrumental in reducing isolation and enhancing the quality of life for the district’s inhabitants.
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