SRINAGAR The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Wednesday sought status report from National Highway Authority of India, Border Roads Organization and Public Works Department regarding improvement of various roads presently under construction in Kashmir Division.
A division bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Alok Aradhe sought status report after hearing counsel representing various parties.
The court was informed by counsel for NHAI that the 4-lane express way from Banihal to Srinagar has been commissioned and made operational but certain bridges in between are being constructed and the same shall be completed as soon as possible.
With regard to Srinagar-Sopore, the court was informed that the road has been divided into three segments and these segments are under the control of NHAI, R&B and BRO and all these agencies have been asked to ensure necessary repair of the road.
About the Srinagar-Sonamarg road, advocate Tahir Shamsi on behalf of NHAI apprised the court that the road has been repaired. However certain stretches are yet to be repaired as the same has not been
handed over to BRO by civil authorities.
From Bandipora to Sumbal, the court was informed that the road is about 35 kilometers and its first phase has been completed by 90 percent and the time line for second phase has been fixed by 2020.
The Court said the submission of petitioner counsel has substance and asked the authorities to submit the time line for the remaining second phase.
Meanwhile, hearing a separate PIL on road widening from Dalgate to Hazratbal, the division
bench expressed serious concern over the pace of work. The court was informed that the project has been started in 2009-2010 and the authorities are still in land acquisition progress.
Counsel or R&B submitted that the department was short of funds as over Rs 356 crores are required and only Rs 61 crores have been received so far.
Court has expressed it anguish on deputy commissioner Srinagar who as per the court directions was supposed to submit the details of acquisition and time line for completion of land acquisition.
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