Ujh project cleared, Shahpur Kandi nears completion, major infra push in J&K’s Kathua

The long-delayed Ujh multipurpose project has finally received approval, marking a major push for irrigation, infrastructure, and border security in the region, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Saturday.

Chairing a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) in Kathua, Singh described the clearance as a “historic milestone” for a project conceived nearly a century ago but stalled due to administrative and financial hurdles. He said sustained efforts over the past decade, along with support from the Ministry of Home Affairs, helped resolve issues, noting the Ujh river’s vulnerability from a security standpoint.

The minister also announced that the Shahpur Kandi Barrage is in its final stages and is likely to be commissioned within a month. Originally initiated during the tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi , the project was revived after intervention by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019. Together, the two projects are expected to boost irrigation in Kathua and Samba districts in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Pathankot and Gurdaspur in Punjab.

Highlighting infrastructure growth, Singh said the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway will soon be operational up to Vijaypur, improving connectivity and tourism prospects. He also confirmed that a pipeline to supply Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to Kathua is expected to be completed within six months, offering a cleaner energy alternative.

In addition, land has been approved for the proposed Arun Jaitley International Stadium in Hiranagar to enhance sports infrastructure and youth engagement.

The minister also directed officials to improve coordination with MLAs, address poor road conditions, curb illegal mining, and promote central schemes such as PM SVANidhi and PM Surya Ghar to strengthen livelihoods and encourage solar energy adoption.