Govt speeds up development of Kargil and Leh regions

Union Urban Affairs Ministry has called upon the state administration to send a detailed proposal to execute various developmental projects in Leh and Kargil regions. The ministry is contemplating including the two regions under its 'Smart City Mission'. The move comes almost a month after the Centre abrogated provisions of Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir by dividing the state into union territories -- J&K and Ladakh. Once the proposal is submitted, the government will release funds for developmental activities in these regions. Jammu is also among the 100 cities under the mission. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD), a prime construction agency of the central government, has offered the J&K administration assistance in building "economical" and "best quality" infrastructure in the two union territories.