Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, May 7: The prestigious Bani-Bhaderwah (Doda) road project, under taken by the Project Beacon of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has jumped yet another deadline of March 2017 as the pending non-clearance from State Forest department for the last about five years is said to be the main reason behind it besides the slow pace of work carried out by the 35 BRTF authorities.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the sufficient progress has been witnessed from Bhaderwah side on this road project, while from Bani side up to Sarthal and Chattergalla pass, hardly 20 % progress has been witnessed on this road project in last more than two decades. If the progress of work remained in the same way, the completion of this road project is not possible even in next five more years. This road was taken over by BRO during 1992-93 and this 76 kms road is still incomplete. Earlier, the road was scheduled to be completed by June 2015 but thereafter, the project has jumped two more dead lines. Now, the BRO officials claimed that this road is most likely to be completed by June 2019.
Not only this, Chattergalla tunnel project worth Rs 1113 crore, which was sent to the Union Government for clearance about four years back, is still awaiting green nod from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Two tunnels on Kishtwar-Sinthon Top-Anantnag highway and also on Mughal Road were cleared by the Union Government recently but the clearance on this important road project was yet awaited.
The then Minister for R&B, Syed Altaf Bukhari had claimed on the floor of the Upper House about one and half year ago that upgraded double-lane Bani-Bhaderwah road will be commissioned by March 2017. Bukhari had also claimed that the road from Bani to Basohli (88 kms), which is under Project SAMPARK is being developed to National Highway double lane specifications and the work was under progress.
Referring to the tunnel on Bani- Basohli road at Seoj Range, the Minister had informed that BRO has forwarded a feasibility study of Basti- Chhatargalla (6.5 kms) tunnel to Director General BRO for consideration, approval and funding. The R&B had also submitted a proposal for construction of road including tunnel connecting Bhaderwah-Bani-Basohli road at an estimated cost of Rs 1113 crore to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. But sanction is yet awaited. He had disclosed that road stretches from Doda-Bhaderwah and Bhaderwah-Bani have been upgraded by project Beacon and an expenditure of more than Rs 152 crore has been incurred on it.
Chief Engineer, Project Beacon, Brig A K Das when contacted claimed that Forest clearance and acquisition of land for the road widening purpose are the two main reasons behind the delay on this project. He said inadequate flow of funds from the concerned Central authorities, is yet another reason.
Replying to another question, Brig Das said delay on the part of Revenue authorities on Bani-Loang-Sarthal and Chattergalla stretch and also at few places on Bhaderwah side created problem for BRO to undertake work. A compensation amount of Rs 25 crore has been kept at the disposal of Revenue authorities but now it is their job to disburse compensation and handover the land to them so that road widening work could be undertaken.
“We have requested them again and again but until and unless the officers at the helm of affairs seriously respond to our pleas, the work can not be undertaken ahead. A joint survey by Forest and BRO officials concerned is awaited. The efforts will be made to lower the number of trees to be axed along the new road. A response from their side is awaited. We have kept Rs 6 cr compensation earlier worked out by the Forest officers,” the Beacon Chief Engineer maintained.
On the issue of completion of this road project, Brig Das said apart from tunnel, the project should be completed in next two years if flow of funds remained adequate. “Higher authorities have asked us to complete it in any case before 2022,” Brig Das maintained.
On Chattergalla tunnel, the Chief Engineer said that this tunnel has been kept at priority number three by the Defence authorities and its clearance is not immediately expected. “Some political initiative from the concerned Member Parliament or local public representatives may do some favour for the people of this area,” he opined.
A senior BRO officer from 35 BRTF, when contacted, claimed that work from Bhaderwah side up to Chattergalla was in progress in big way. The black topping work is also being under taken on that side. Entire cutting and even mettling work on more than 25-30 kms has been completed on north side of Chattergalla. Black topping work on a large portion of road has also been conducted. But from Bani and Loang side the pace of work was slow. He admitted that from Loang to Sarthal and even up to Chattergalla no ground work could be taken up on this stretch of about 25 kms during last four years.
Replying to a question, the BRO officer said that non-clearance from the J&K Forest department and slow process of land acquisition delayed this important road project. He said the joint survey by Forest and GREF men was conducted twice in this Forest Range. The efforts were made to minimize the loss of trees.
Earlier, more than 2000 trees were required to be cut but during second survey their number was reduced to nearly 1540. It was emphasized that loss to the environment is minimum.
“We appreciate the concern of Forest department. We have rendered full cooperation to them. That exercise is still going on and non-clearance from Forest department is yet awaited. Revenue clearance has already been granted to the 35 BRTF and Rs 25 crore compensation has been kept at the disposal of Revenue authorities. The revenue department is paying the same to the villagers whose land is being acquired,” he added.
The BRO engineer disclosed that Forest and Revenue clearance were the major hurdles which caused the delay on the completion of this road project. The second reason is the availability of working season of just 6-7 months on this road because most of the area remains snow bound and there is chilling cold in the region. He said availability of funds is no issue at all.
Referring to dislocation of thick population of Loang near Bani, he said some people have gone to the High Court. There are concrete structures which are coming under the road widening. That issue is also to be settled by the State Revenue authorities. Two–three more habitations are there on this road which are creating trouble and need immediate attention of the District and Sub Divisional Administration. He claimed that by all means this road is expected to be completed in next two years.
On the issue of Chattergalla tunnel, he said to ensure round the year road connectivity, tunnel on this road was must. He said that a project report has been submitted to the Union Govt through DG BRO for the construction of about 6.5 km tunnel and its sanction is yet awaited. He said that this road is very important in view of tourism promotion of the area and provide direct road connectivity to Doda-Kishtwar-Kashmir via Kathua district and also Himachal and Punjab.
Conservator of Forests, East Circle, of Jammu Division, Navin Shah claimed that about six months back, he along with DFO Billawar, Range Officer Bani and some Forest and 35 BRTF officers visited that area. About 700 more trees were coming under the new alignment. “ We asked them to change the alignment to save maximum number of trees. The BRO officers concerned agreed to change it but thereafter, they never approached us. Even a joint meeting in presence of Divisional Commissioner Jammu was held some time back and there also, the meeting concluded with the same remarks. The concerned 35 BRTF officers should speak to us over it so that issue is resolved shortly, Mr Shah said.
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