STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a significant push to infrastructure and regional development, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Saturday participated in multiple key events across Jammu, Doda, and Kishtwar districts.
At IIT Jammu, Dr. Singh joined the foundation stone laying ceremony for Phase-B infrastructure, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the project virtually. The Rs 1,398 crore expansion includes new academic blocks, hostels, and a state-of-the-art Research Park, the first of its kind in North India, modelled on IIT Madras.
Dr. Singh praised the institute’s rapid growth since its establishment in 2016 and commended Director Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur for steering IIT Jammu to national prominence. He noted its impressive 56th NIRF ranking in 2025 and its strategic location near institutions like AIIMS and IIM Jammu.
He also highlighted the Union Cabinet’s Rs 11,828 crore investment for expanding five new IITs, including Jammu, aiming to raise their combined student strength to 12,000 over the next four years.
In Doda, Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired a DISHA meeting to review Centrally-sponsored schemes such as Jal Jeevan Mission, PMGSY, and PMAY. He described the Chattergala Tunnel project as a “game changer” for year-round connectivity and economic upliftment. The Minister stressed timely repair of flood-damaged infrastructure, enhanced road connectivity in remote areas, and saturation of welfare schemes. He also emphasized promoting Ayushman Bharat, PM-Surya Ghar, and One District One Product (ODOP) to boost local development and entrepreneurship.
Later in Kishtwar, Dr. Singh chaired another DISHA meeting, directing the administration to expedite relief and rehabilitation post-recent cloudbursts and flash floods. Reviewing implementation of schemes like PM-KISAN, PMAY, and Jal Jeevan Mission, he emphasized the need for saturation of basic services and timely grievance redressal.
Dr. Singh proposed accelerated work on the airstrip under the UDAAN scheme, noting that air connectivity would benefit Kishtwar, particularly in harsh winters.
He urged the administration to engage local youth in NHPC projects through skill training and entrepreneurship programs. Highlighting the Sansad Khel Spardha, he called for enrolment camps to identify local sports talent for national-level participation.
Deputy Commissioners of Doda and Kishtwar presented updates on various infrastructure projects, including the Rs 600 crore sanctioned under PMGSY for Doda and 100% PMAY (Gramin) target achievement in Kishtwar. Over Rs 120 crore has also been disbursed to farmers under PM-KISAN in the district.