Jammu: Satish Sharma, the Pradesh Congress General Secretary and former Chairman of Jammu Municipal Corporation, met Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Tuesday to discuss pressing public concerns. Their meeting, held at the Secretariat in Kashmir, focused significantly on granting Sub-District Hospital status to Rajiv Gandhi Hospital in Gangyal and resolving local infrastructural issues affecting residents.
Sharma emphasized that the sub-district hospital status for Rajiv Gandhi Hospital is critical for the increasing population of Gangyal and nearby areas, who rely heavily on this facility for healthcare. He stated, “The demand for an upgraded hospital status is long overdue. Granting this will enable the expansion of specialist services and modern medical facilities which the community desperately needs.”
Current healthcare challenges compel many locals to travel long distances for medical attention, creating a pressing need for enhanced service at the Rajiv Gandhi Hospital. “With the status upgrade, healthcare will be significantly closer to people’s homes,” Sharma added.
Moreover, during the meeting, Sharma raised concerns about the deteriorating road conditions in Gangyal. He urged for an extensive survey and immediate blacktopping of local roads to combat the daily struggles faced by residents, students, and drivers, stating, “Poor roads hinder transportation and daily activities, leading to frustrations for everyone involved.”
In conjunction with the road issues, Sharma also called for the urgent reconstruction of a damaged bridge over the canal at Bawaliana, which poses serious challenges during the rainy season, saying, “This bridge is essential for commuting and its current state is unacceptable.”
Sharma did not stop there; he strongly advocated for road construction in Dadap Panchayat. He noted that inadequate road connectivity hampers the development of the area, asking, “Improved roads will not only enhance accessibility but also support local progress and opportunities.”
In response, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary assured Sharma that he would prioritize all the discussed demands and direct concerned officials to address these vital issues swiftly. Choudhary’s commitment signals hope for residents awaiting improvements in their community.
