DC Drass tours Five Villages, reviews public issues and development needs

DRASS: Deputy Commissioner Drass Imteeaz Kacho (JKAS) on Saturday conducted an extensive tour of Thasgam, Sumat, Jasgund, Dandal and Dandalthang, reviewing public grievances and developmental requirements related to education, healthcare, drinking water, roads, power supply, livelihoods, tourism and other essential services.

The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by senior officers from health, education, animal and sheep husbandry, rural development, public works, PHE/I&FC, power, supplies and other departments, besides LAHDC Councillor Bhimbat Abdul Wahid.

At Thasgam, residents sought upgradation of the High School to Higher Secondary level, a school bus, Kendriya Vidyalaya and hostel, a Class 10 examination centre, improved healthcare, roads, drinking water, a cricket ground and operationalisation of the ice hockey ground. Other demands included filling vacant teaching posts, winter classrooms, sanitation facilities, floodlights, an ATM, transformer, Pashmina goat farm and improved food and civil supplies.

Kacho directed the concerned officers to examine the demands and take appropriate action wherever feasible. He also stressed cleanliness, waste management and avoidance of plastic, while encouraging residents to explore homestays, local markets, fish farming and other livelihood opportunities. He urged the community to remain vigilant against drug abuse.

At Sumat, residents raised issues concerning drinking water, roads, compensation for land and tree damage, mobile connectivity and shortage of teachers. The Deputy Commissioner reviewed the availability of education, healthcare, power and Anganwadi services, with particular emphasis on healthcare arrangements during winter. He also visited the Middle School and interacted with students and teachers.

Residents of Jasgund sought a bridge, community hall, educational and healthcare facilities, internal roads, water storage and completion of pending Jal Jeevan Mission works. They also raised concerns over winter water supply, teacher vacancies, an Anganwadi building, playground, Panchayat Ghar and human-brown bear conflict. Kacho encouraged residents to develop homestays and local food stalls around the area’s waterfalls and trekking sites.

At Dandal, residents highlighted road and water problems, healthcare requirements and avalanche-related damage, saying inadequate infrastructure had led some families to migrate. The Deputy Commissioner directed departments to examine the requirements and said the Agriculture Extension Officer would visit the area to assess farming needs.

At Dandalthang, residents mainly raised drinking water, Jal Jeevan Mission, healthcare, link roads and school infrastructure issues, besides seeking a Medical Sub-Centre. The human-brown bear conflict was also raised across the villages.

During the tour, Kacho inspected the ongoing construction of the new High School Chowkiyal building and reviewed the progress. He called for coordinated departmental action and community participation to improve basic services, strengthen livelihoods and promote tourism in remote areas of Drass.