Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Apr 24: Under phase- X of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), 679 schemes have been proposed for Jammu and Kashmir covering a length of around 3900 kilometers with an approximate cost of Rs 4086 crore.
379 schemes have been proposed for Jammu province while 218 schemes are meant for Kashmir valley benefiting a number of habitations by providing all weather road connectivity in the rural areas, official sources informed the Excelsior.
In Jammu division, Kathua district tops with 86 proposed schemes covering road length of 611.99 kms and providing connectivity to 398 habitations. District Kathua is followed by Rajouri, Udhampur and Doda in respect of number of proposed schemes under PMGSY phase-X. 58 schemes have been proposed for Rajouri, 43 for Udhampur and 42 for Doda districts.
Similarly, Jammu, Samba, Ramban, Poonch and Reasi districts have been proposed 21, 15, 15, 37, and 37 schemes respectively.
Out of total 675 habitations in Jammu, which will get connectivity under these schemes, nine habitations have more than 1000 population while the number of habitations with more than 500 populations is 26. The number of habitations with population ranging above 250 and below 250, is 282 and 358, respectively.
Pertinent to mention that the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), launched by Government of India on December 25, 2000, is a 100 percent Centrally sponsored scheme and 50 percent of the cess levied on High Speed Diesel (HSD) has been earmarked to fund the scheme.
The primary objective of the PMGSY is to provide connectivity by way of an all weather road to the eligible un-connected habitations in the rural area, in such a way that all un-connected habitations with a population of 500 persons and above are to be covered in plain area. In respect of Hill State (North-East, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttranchal) and the desert areas (as identified in the Desert Development Programme) as well as the Tribal (Schedule-V) area, the objective is to connect habitations with a population of 250 persons and above.
The PMGSY also permits the upgradation of the existing roads in those districts where all the eligible habitations of the designated population size have been provided all weather road connectivity. However, it must be noted that upgradation is not central to the programme and can not exceed 20 percent of the State’s allocation as long as eligible un-connected habitations in the State still exist.
379 schemes for Jammu division include 42 upgradation works of the existing roads and construction of 28 bridges.
In Kashmir valley, the proposed 218 schemes will cover a road length of 1154 kms with an estimated cost of Rs 1554 crore. These schemes will benefit 172 habitations; 146 having more than 250 population, 23 having less than 250 population and three having more than 500 population.
Commissioner Secretary R&B, Tanveer Jahan told the Excelsior that the proposed schemes have been sent to the Central Government for approval under phase X of the PMGSY and the same may be sanctioned soon after new Government takes over
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