Pargawal belt on Indo-Pak border set for an overhaul

Pargawal area on the Indo-Pak border, once considered a fearful place due to the cross border firing, is now all set for an overhaul as state government today launched "model village" project costing Rs11 crore.

Deputy chief minister Tara Chand today laid foundation stone of the Pargawal border village as cluster model village and announced a package of Rs11 crore for this area which falls in Chhamb constituency of Jammu district.

Pargawal, located on the Indo-Pak border, has witnessed heavy firing and shelling, which came down only after November 26, 2003 when Indian and Pakistani troops entered into a ceasefire agreement along the border belt in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone, DCM said that the government has set three years time for the completion of the project which would benefit around 16,000 people living in 17 villages along with Pargwal area.

Facilities of education, health, communication, drainage, agriculture and above all provision for a bus terminal and development of tourist attraction spots in the area are major themes.

Speaking on the occasion, minister for rural development Ali Mohammad Sagar said that till date several model villages have been developed in the state and this is the first ever such project which involves Rs11 crore cost.