Jammu: Satish Sharma, Pradesh Congress General Secretary and former Chairman of the Jammu Municipal Corporation, met with Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Tuesday at the Secretariat in Kashmir. He submitted a memorandum addressing several critical public issues including the demand to grant Sub-District Hospital status to Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, Gangyal.
Sharma emphasized that the population in Gangyal and surrounding areas is rapidly increasing. Local residents increasingly rely on Rajiv Gandhi Hospital for essential healthcare services. He stated, “Granting Sub-District Hospital status to Rajiv Gandhi Hospital is a long-standing demand. It will allow the facility to expand its services by bringing in specialist doctors and modern medical equipment, thereby enhancing healthcare access for the community.”
The former municipal chief highlighted the burden on residents who currently have to travel to distant facilities for healthcare. Obtaining this status would mean significant improvement in local health services, reducing the need for long-distance travel for medical needs.
Alongside healthcare improvements, Sharma raised concerns over deteriorating road conditions in Gangyal. He requested the immediate commencement of blacktopping work on local roads, citing daily hardships faced by residents, students, and drivers. “The poor condition of roads creates various problems, especially for those commuting to work or school,” he remarked.
The need for urgent reconstruction of the damaged bridge over the canal at Bawaliana also featured prominently in Sharma’s discussions. He pointed out that the failing structure causes severe commuting issues, which worsen during the rainy season, making timely repairs critical.
Additionally, Sharma called for road construction in Dadap Panchayat, stressing the area’s connectivity challenges. “Residents require better access to their neighbourhoods to facilitate their daily activities,” he asserted, noting that improved infrastructure would accelerate overall development.
In a positive response, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary assured Sharma that all highlighted demands would be prioritized. He confirmed that necessary directions would soon be issued to relevant authorities to ensure swift action on these pressing matters.
This meeting marks a significant step towards addressing the healthcare and infrastructural needs of the residents, potentially laying the groundwork for enhanced local governance and community support in Jammu.
