‘Were kept pending in PDP-BJP Govt’
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 15: Developmental works were all set to get a major boost in Jammu with four projects, which were awaiting clearance for launch for the past several months in the PDP-BJP coalition Government amidst allegations of “lack of attention” by the previous dispensation, all set to start within the next few days with administration removing all bottlenecks.
Major focus of the authorities have now shifted towards start of work on prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where eviction of Gujjars remained the hurdle with authorities reportedly engaged in negotiations to clear the land to formally launch the project.
Official sources told the Excelsior that work on Jammu-Akhnoor National Highway, which was part of Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) announced in September 2015, is all set to take off after nearly three years with administration now completing all formalities.
Rs 5100 crore were earmarked in the PMDP for Jammu-Poonch National Highway via Akhnoor, Nowshera and Rajouri. Initially, the authorities would start work on making Jammu-Akhnoor 4-laning National Highway followed by double-laning of Akhnoor-Poonch road.
Jammu-Akhnoor road especially up to Domana witnessed huge traffic jams on number of occasions and the demand for its widening was being raised by the people for the past quite some time. It was made part of the PMDP by the Centre Government in November 2015 but the previous Government took nearly two and a half years to complete the formalities for starting the work.
Another major project of Jammu-Rs 206-9 crore worth Pargwal-Khour bridge over the mighty river Chenab in Akhnoor, which was kept pending for more than three years on one pretext or the other by the previous PDP-BJP Government-has now crossed all major hurdles and its execution was expected to start very shortly.
The project was mired in various controversies amidst allegations that it was being intentionally delayed. Even then ruling BJP MLAs from Akhnoor tehsil had to stage dharnas and hold protests along with people for clearance of the project.
The previous PDP-BJP Government’s carelessness over this prestigious project for the people of Akhnoor tehsil can be well gauged from the fact that they couldn’t finalize even the tenders during three years.
The people of the Khour-Pargwal-Jourian area have been demanding the construction of the bridge over Chenab for so many years because they have great difficulty in connectivity. Pargwal is surrounded by Pakistan border and the waters of Chenab and during Pak firing it is difficult for the local residents to seek shelter elsewhere. Only a small road along a canal links Pargwal Island.
Sources disclosed that expansion of Jammu Airport, which was also being delayed for the past several years, and Jammu Ring Road, were the two other projects, which have crossed the obstacles and were now set for start of work anytime.
However, sources admitted that work on prestigious AIIMS project could take more time as authorities were negotiating with the Gujjars to vacate the land before going in for eviction drive, which could lead to some problems. They were of the view that majority of other formalities for starting work on the AIIMS have been completed and once the land is cleared, work could start.
Only few days back, the Government had ordered appointment of Principals to five Government Medical Colleges-three in Jammu region and two in Kashmir to give boost to the process for starting sessions in them from next academic year.
It may be mentioned here that delay in start of developmental works in Jammu was mentioned as one of the reasons by BJP national president Amit Shah for withdrawal of support to Mehbooba Mufti-led Government. However, after imposition of Governor’s rule in the State on June 19, the Government has been paying major focus on developmental works in all three regions of the State.
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