The project of four-laning of National Highway from Lakhanpur to Baramulla was actually initiated by the Government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee some years ago when it was in power at the Centre. Actually, Vajpayee had a broad vision of north-south and east-west connectivity for the country. It also included a trade corridor from north to south. This was an ambitious project but also very necessary one in view of fast growing economy of the country and manifold increase in trade and commerce activities and enterprises. Importance of connectivity concept remains intact, and rather more attention is paid to it now than before.
J&K was also brought on the new road map of the country. We have very peculiar connectivity picture before us. Ours is a hilly state and the National Highway from Jammu to Srinagar via Ramban-Banihal-Qazigund and Srinagar is hilly for the most part. These hills are of sand and not of solid rock, most of them. They are subject to impact of heavy monsoon rains as well as winter snow and frost. Therefore, the entire National Highway-1A is not that easy to turn it into four-lanes as is said. No doubt the work has long been started and four laning up to Udhampur is nearing completion. Certainly, it is an occasion of much relief and satisfaction that four laning is a far better method of ensuring better safety and security on this highway.
RAMKY Infrastructure Ltd., which is constructing and developing modernized four-lane Express way between Qazigund to Srinagar has to maintain the highway as well till it is completed. But over the years the condition of the highway has deteriorated immensely, and commuters face lot of problems. Vehicular traffic on this stretch is encountering enormous difficulties, jam, delay and chaotic conditions. The stretch is full of potholes filled with puddles of rain water which slow down the vehicular traffic and cause traffic jam and delay. A distance which could easily and comfortably be covered in an hour and half now takes 5 to 6 hours to complete. This is highly detrimental to day to day commuters who have to move about for work and business.
There have been a number of PILs pending before the court of law wherein the petitioners have asked for immediate repair and restoration of the stretch of road from Qazigund to Srinagar. This is the only link of the valley and Ladakh with the world outside. And if it remains in dilapidated condition, we shudder to imagine the consequences. More interestingly, the High Court had previously also taken note of lethargic and non-serious attitude of the NH Authority of India in regard to maintenance and widening of the NH-1A. We are aware that this winter and spring we had continuous rains and floods that made it difficult to continue normal construction work and road building. But, as rightly pointed out by the High Court, there are many places in the country where rain is permanent feature; where it is sunny during half of the day and raining during the next half. Yet under those circumstance excellent roads have been built and in shortest possible time. In view of this, the High Court has issued orders that the National Highway has to be made motorable within ten days from the issuance of the court order.
The truth is that the RAMKY Infrastructure Ltd has been taking the job in a light vein. It was reprimanded by the court in the past also for not expediting the maintenance and four-laning of the stretch of road under discussion. The pretext of inclement weather and flood are not tenable at least in this case. Modern construction style is broadly different from the one we are used for long past. NH-1A is of extreme strategic importance to the country. It is the only road link on which the Indian army depends for communication. Therefore, it has to be maintained on war footing.
We also like to note that the court order has come after several PILs were pending in regard to inconvenience caused to the commuters by pot-holed stretch of road. The point we want to make is that why does the State Administration fail to take necessary measure to make the contracting companies perform their duty in accordance with terms of the contract and why should all and sundry matters be brought to the High Court of the State and in this way detract the attention of the court from attending more serious issues in the State. It is a reflection on the efficiency of the State Administration. Passing on the buck to the High Court does not reflect the health of the administration in shining colours. This behavior of passing the buck should stop.
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