Centre clears Ujh project; irrigation, connectivity and energy push for Kathua district

The long-pending Ujh multipurpose project has received approval, marking a step towards enhancing irrigation capacity and strengthening infrastructure along the border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Saturday.

He also said that the Shahpur Kandi Barrage is nearing completion and that the PNG pipeline is likely to reach Kathua within the next six months, aimed at improving access to clean energy in the region.

The minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office made the announcements while chairing a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Kathua, according to an official spokesman.

Kathua falls under his Udhampur parliamentary constituency.

“The Ujh multipurpose project has finally received approval,” he said, describing it as a “historic milestone”.

Singh said the project was originally conceived nearly a century ago but remained stalled for decades due to administrative and financial constraints.

He said sustained efforts over the past 13 years helped resolve issues arising from cost escalation.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs extended crucial support in view of national security considerations, as the Ujh river has been identified as a vulnerable point for infiltration,” he said, adding that the project is expected to enhance irrigation capacity and contribute to regional development.

On the Shahpur Kandi Barrage, Singh said the national project is nearing completion and is expected to be commissioned within a month.

The barrage’s foundation stone was laid by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the early 1980s, but the project remained pending for decades.

He said the project was revived following the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Jammu in 2019.

The Shahpur Kandi Barrage, along with the Ujh multipurpose project, will provide surplus irrigation to border districts of Kathua and Samba in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Pathankot and Gurdaspur in Punjab, he said.

Singh also said that the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway is progressing at a rapid pace and will soon be opened up to Vijaypur in Samba district.

Work on the remaining stretch up to Katra is underway and is expected to be completed in the coming months, he said. “The expressway will significantly reduce travel time, improve connectivity, and promote economic activity and tourism in the region.”

In a separate development, Singh said the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Office has approved the transfer of additional land for the construction of the Arun Jaitley International Stadium at Hiranagar in Kathua.

He said the project will facilitate the development of modern sports facilities and create new opportunities for youth in the region.

Referring to the West Asia situation causing an energy crisis globally, Singh said work on laying a pipeline to supply Piped Natural Gas (PNG) up to Kathua will be completed within the next six months.

The project will be undertaken by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and is expected to provide a reliable and environment-friendly energy source to households, he said.

During the DISHA meeting, the minister directed officials to strengthen coordination with elected representatives by keeping concerned MLAs actively involved in matters related to water supply, power distribution and road connectivity.

He said regular consultation with MLAs would help ensure better monitoring of public services, quicker resolution of local issues and improved delivery of infrastructure at the grassroots level.

Singh also took note of the poor condition of the strategic Dhar Road and instructed authorities to take immediate corrective action and ensure potholes are filled without delay.

Expressing concern over illegal mining, he said it poses a threat to public infrastructure, including the foundation of bridges and other assets.

He directed law enforcement agencies to take strict action against such activities and ensure enforcement to curb the menace and protect infrastructure.

(With inputs from agencies)