Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Oct 24: The Centre has decided to take over the construction of much talked about Bhaderwah -Chamba road joining the J&K with Himachal Pradesh after the State Government failed to construct this road for years together.
This was disclosed by Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari during a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister of the State, Dr Nirmal Singh who called on him at New Delhi today.
The Centre has approved to construct the road by declaring it as National Highway, official sources told Excelsior. The Construction of National Highway will facilitate travel of the people from two States and also shorten the distance besides it will boost the tourist trade of the two States, sources added.
The Union Surface Transport Ministry has given its approval to the project. The work on the road was earlier delayed by the State Government which started its construction under PMGSY and later brought it under State Sector. But the road was never constructed, sources said.
Gadkari during the meeting with Dr Singh reviewed the Delhi, Amritsar, Katra Expressway Project passing through the States of Haryana and Punjab. He assured that this cost effective project will be completed in shortest period of time.
Earlier, Gadkari had convened the meeting of the CMs of the three States including Punjab, Haryana and J&K which will be the major beneficiaries of the Project. However, neither the CM of J&K nor the Deputy CM could attend that meeting. So Deputy CM was today briefed by Union Minister about the progress of the meeting held by him with the CMs of Punjab and Haryana.
The Expressway Project will link the holy cities of Amritsar in Punjab with holy city of Katra and make travel of pilgrims easy by shortening the distance.
Gadkari also gave approval to construction of two roads in the State which included Dayalachak to Challan road and Lakhanpur – Basholi to Dhonera (HP) road for bettering transport facilities in the State.
The Union Minister asked Deputy CM to send DPRs for the two roads for the approval of Union Government. He assured that the approval will be granted soon after receiving the DPRs.
Gadkari also informed Dr Singh that the Centre is keen for construction of the strategically important Zojila Tunnel linking the Ladakh region to rest of the country and make it an all weather road.
He said the delay in the tunnel was due to the fact that the Department had received only one bid for its construction which can’t be considered under rules. However, the Ministry has decided to call fresh bids for the project soon to expedite the work on tunnel.
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