JAMMU: Chairman, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Yudhvir Singh Malik called on the Minister for Works, Naeem Akhtar here Tuesday to review the progress of upgradation of Srinagar-Jammu national highway and other key road communication projects in the State.
NHAI chairman has been deputed to J&K on a two-day visit by Union Road and Surface Transport Ministry to personally review the progress of the key highway and other road projects in the state and submit a report to the Prime Ministers Office. This follows the meeting of the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti with the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in New Delhi last week where she had flagged road connectivity as a major area of concern which needed immediate attention.
During his meeting with the Works Minister here today, the NHAI Chairman assured Akhtar that the Authority would ensure that the executing agencies stick to the deadline and ensure completion of works on key highway and road projects in time.
The Minister emphasized expediting work on Srinagar-Qazigund stretch, Qazigund-Banihal tunnel, Banihal-Ramban section and Chenani-Nashri tunnel as part of upgradation of Srinagar-Jammu highway to facilitate hassle-free travel between the two capital cities of the State. He also reviewed the progress of work on Batote-Kishtwar highway and proposed Ring Roads in Jammu and Srinagar. The Minister and sought the intervention of the NHAI chairman in expediting the work on these projects of vital importance to the State.
Regarding Batote-Kishtwar National Highway, the Minister was informed that the Centre has recently released Rs 100 crores for the upgradation of this highway and it would be completed by December this year.
Regarding Srinagar-Qazigund section of the highway, the Minister was informed by the NHAI authorities that due to the disturbances in the Valley last summer, the work on this important stretch took a big hit. The NHAI chairman, however, assured the Minister that the work is being expedited on this stretch to complete this year.
Regarding Qazigund-Banihal tunnel, the NHAI chairman informed the Minister that the 8.5 km long tunnel is at the breakthrough stage and it would be commissioned in 2018.
Regarding upgradation of 36 KM Banihal-Ramban section, the Minister assured the NHAI chairman that while the state cabinet has already cleared several dumping sites in the area, more such sites would be cleared soon. The NHAI chairman directed his regional officers to immediately make the payment for the dumping sites cleared by the state cabinet and take over the possession at the earliest so that work can be expedited on this important section of the highway.
Regarding Chenani-Nashri tunnel, the Minister was informed that the 9.50 KM long tunnel, which is an engineering marvel, is the final stage of testing and certification. He was further informed that once the testing and certification is complete, the tunnel could be opened anytime in near future. If everything goes well, the tunnel could be inaugurated anytime next month, the meeting was told.
The meeting was informed that NHAI has simultaneously directed the executing agencies for expediting work on widening of National Highway between Udhampur and Chenani.
Given the tourism potential of the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, it was decided in the meeting that the State Government and NHAI would develop wayside tourist facilities around the tunnel to develop the area as an independent tourism destination.
Regarding the construction of Ring Roads in Jammu and Srinagar, the meeting was informed that the survey has already been completed on these new roads circling the twin capital cities and land acquisition has been started. Pertinently, around Rs 3300 crore have been earmarked under Prime Ministers Development Programme (PMDP) for the construction of these Ring Roads.
Regarding new National Highways of Batote-Doda via Sudh Mahadev and Jammu-Akhnoor, the meeting was informed that the Consultants have been asked to submit Detailed Project Report (DPR) within 6 months.
The Jammu-Akhnoor National Highway has to be extended right up to Poonch via Rajouri. An amount of Rs 5100 crore has been earmarked for Jammu-Poonch National Highway via Akhnoor and Rajouri in the Prime Ministers Development Plan (PMDP).
The Minister also sought the status update on three new Highways approved for the Kashmir valley including Baramulla-Rafiabad-Kupwara-
Rodic Consultants To Prepare JKs Connectivity Plan
The State Government has roped in Rodic Consultants Private Ltd to formulate a comprehensive connectivity plan for Jammu and Kashmir.
This was announced at a meeting of the representatives of Rodic Consultants with the Minister for Works, Naeem Akhtar here last evening.
The representatives of Rodic Consultants informed the meeting that the consulting firm specializes in highways, bridges, railways, tunnels and other infrastructure. Besides providing Advisory Services, the Rodic Consultants, have the expertise in Pre-Feasibility and Feasibility Studies, Detailed Engineering, Proof Checking, Value Engineering, Detailed Design, Detailed Project Report preparation, Construction Supervision and Project Management.
The meeting was informed that the Rodic Consultants would prepare a comprehensive mobility report for the State highlighting the requirement for new highways, tunnels, railways, metros and bridges to facilitate hassle-free intra and inter-state transportation.
The Rodic Consultants have been asked to integrate the proposed Connectivity Plan with the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP prepared by the RITES for Jammu and Srinagar cities.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
ACT NOW |
MONTHLY | Rs 100 | |
YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |