Jammu: "Well-knit road connectivity is an important factor in the economic growth of any state, "said Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Apart from the roads, providing potable drinking water and availability of power are also indicators of the prosperity and progress of the states, he said while reviewing the work of the roads and buildings, power development, irrigation and flood control departments here yesterday.

"Therefore all concerned departments in these sectors have tremendous responsibility to work with zeal and enthusiasm for accomplishment of the tasks assigned to them in these areas," Azad said.

The meeting was informed that under the instructions of Azad, a separate establishment has been created for implementation of all the schemes under Bharat Nirman programme which will ensure connectivity to all villages, blocks and tehsils through road network within the targeted period.

"The Union Rural Development Minister has on my request placed a separate nodal officer for clearing the projects of Jammu and Kashmir on a priority basis so that no project remains pending at the central government level," he said.

Referring to the preponing of the budget session of state legislature, Azad said the objective is to optimally utilise months of February and March to execute development works when legislators and senior officers are having sufficient time to monitor the projects.