Banihal, SEPTEMBER 16: Maintaining that the Banihal-Gool Assembly constituency is rapidly progressing on the path of development, MLA Banihal Sajjad Shaheen today laid the foundation stone for the beautification and upgradation of Goda Gali Park, describing the initiative as an important step towards preserving the area’s heritage potential and developing it as a future tourism destination.
Speaking on the occasion, Shaheen said that the development of Goda Gali Park goes beyond beautification and is aimed at giving greater recognition to a site which carries considerable historical and cultural significance.
He said that Goda Gali is locally associated with ancient remains believed to have links with the Handa/Han Dynasty period, dating back to around the 4th century BC, while the stone inscriptions and carvings found at the site, including representations of horses and other motifs, are regarded as reflecting its ancient historical character.
He said there is a need for a proper scientific archaeological and historical assessment of the site to establish and document its significance and to ensure its preservation in accordance with established archaeological norms. “I will make every possible effort to bring Goda Gali onto the wider heritage and tourism map and take up the matter with the competent authorities, including the Archaeological Survey of India, so that its historical significance can be properly examined and, wherever found appropriate, the site can receive due heritage recognition and protection,” Shaheen said.
He said that bringing Goda Gali into the heritage tourism circuit could have a direct and positive impact on the local economy by creating opportunities for unemployed youth and benefiting local guides, transporters, homestays, small businesses and other tourism-related stakeholders.
He maintained that Banihal-Gool has immense untapped potential in natural beauty, historical sites and cultural heritage and that a coordinated, cluster-based tourism approach could transform the constituency into an important tourism destination.
The MLA said that development of the constituency is being pursued on multiple fronts, with focused attention being given to road connectivity, power infrastructure, education, healthcare, tourism and public amenities.
He said the objective is to ensure that development reaches even the remote and far-flung areas of Banihal-Gool and creates sustainable opportunities for the local population.
Later, Shaheen held a public Darbar at Dheeda, which was attended by sectoral-level officers of various departments. He listened to the issues and grievances raised by the people and issued directions to the concerned officers to take appropriate action on the issues brought to their notice. He stressed the need for officers to maintain close rapport with the people, regularly visit the field and work in a coordinated manner to ease the difficulties being faced by the public.
Shaheen also held a workers at Dheeda, where he interacted with party workers and local residents and listened to their grievances and developmental concerns. He assured the participants that the issues raised during the interaction would be taken up with the concerned departments and authorities for appropriate action. He said regular interaction with workers and the public is essential to understand ground realities and ensure that developmental interventions remain responsive to people’s needs.
He also chaired a meeting of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) at Sub-District Hospital Gool, where he reviewed the overall functioning of the hospital and took feedback regarding healthcare delivery, infrastructure, availability of facilities and other requirements.
He stressed the need to strengthen public healthcare institutions in the mountainous and difficult terrain of Gool and said that a massive infrastructural upgradation of SDH Gool and PHC Sangaldan is on the cards, which would significantly improve healthcare facilities and patient-care services in the area.
He said health infrastructure remains one of his priority areas and that every effort would be made to address existing gaps in facilities and ensure better and more accessible healthcare services for people, particularly those living in remote areas.
“Banihal-Gool is moving rapidly towards a new phase of development. Our vision is not confined to roads and buildings; it encompasses better healthcare and education, reliable power, improved connectivity, tourism, heritage conservation and employment opportunities for our youth. Goda Gali can become an important symbol of this larger vision,” Shaheen said.
He reiterated that the Omar Abdullah-led government is committed to equitable and balanced development and assured that the concerns and developmental requirements of Banihal-Gool would continue to be pursued with the concerned authorities on priority.
Executive Engineer, R&B Division Ramban, officers of various departments and other concerned officials were present on the occasion. Former DDC Chairperson Shamshada Shan and prominent party functionaries including Gulzar Shan, Jan Mohammad Chandail, Ahamulla Naik, Abdul Gani Khakmat, Musayad Hussain Naik, Mukhtiar Bhat, Mohd Afzal Giri and others were also present.
