Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 20: Expanding developmental agenda in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister for Surface Transport and Water Resources today announced a new National Highway for the State from Kishtwar to Kargil via Chandanwari and Panikhar while Union Minister for Civil Aviation Gajapati Raju agreed to a State Government proposal to construct new Airport of International Standards for Jammu, most likely in Samba district.
The decisions by Gadkari and Raju were conveyed to Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh when he called on them in New Delhi this afternoon. Dr Singh also called on Defence Minister Dr Nirmala Sitharaman.
Dr Singh told the Excelsior that Gajapati Raju has, in principle, agreed to the demand for construction of a new Airport of international standard for Jammu and would soon be deputing a team of the Civil Aviation Ministry to finalize the land identified by the State Government at Samba for construction of the Airport.
Sources said details of the land identified as in Samba district for new Airport have been submitted to the Civil Aviation Minister. After nod by the Civil Aviation team, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the new airport will be prepared and further work taken up.
“Pending construction of new airport for Jammu, the existing airport would be expanded as per the proposal already finalized by the Civil Aviation Ministry,” sources said, adding the Ministry was of the view that sufficient land was not available in surroundings of existing airport for making it to the level of international standard.
Therefore, it has been decided to construct new airport in Samba subject to fulfillment of Aviation Ministry guidelines and conditions while the existing airport will be expanded. The existing airport would continue to function even after construction of new airport, they said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister said, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured that developmental works in Leh district would continue and the people wouldn’t be allowed to suffer notwithstanding objections by China at some places.
Dr Nirmal Singh, who was in Leh for past two days, and Jugal Kishore Sharma, Lok Sabha MP of BJP from Jammu-Poonch seat, brought to the notice of the Defence Ministers the concerns expressed by the people of Leh living close to Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China that the PLA sometimes disrupt developmental works and other activities.
Sitharaman assured that the people of Leh district wouldn’t be allowed to suffer and that developmental works would go on without any interruptions.
The Defence Minister also discussed security related aspects of Jammu and Kashmir including security situation along borders with Pakistan and China and internal situation with the two BJP leaders.
According to sources, Nitin Gadkari was in agreement with the demand projected by the Deputy Chief Minister for construction of a new National Highway in J&K from Kishtwar to Kargil via Chandanwari and Panikhar. Gadkari assured that a National Highway Authority of India team would shortly examine prospectus of construction of this highway which would connect Kishtwar with Kargil.
The highway was quite significant as it would link all three regions of the State including Kishtwar in Jammu, Chandanwari in Kashmir and Kargil in Ladakh.
Gadkari was also reported to have stated that work on Zojila tunnel to provide all weather road to Ladakh from Srinagar, Jammu-Akhnoor-Rajouri-Poonch, Chenani-Sudh Mahadev-Pul Doda and Dayala Chak-Chana-Udhampur National Highways and two Ring Roads proposed for Jammu and Srinagar would start next year while work on remaining portions of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway will be expedited.
Gadkari said his Ministry has released Rs 1000 crore to Jammu and Kashmir this year under the Central Road Fund (CRF).
The Deputy Chief Minister raised the issue of conservation and protection of river Tawi in Jammu city on the pattern of the Sabarmati River Front with Nitin Gadkari. He called for early start of work on the 3.5 kilometers pilot stretch passing through the main city areas.
Dr Singh called for release of Rs 396 crore to start work on Jammu city’s prestigious tourism attraction project which would also ensure the conservation of the perennial river.
Dr Singh sought sanctioning of five new road projects to be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 150.28 cr including widening of road from Phinter to Billawar along with widening and balancing work of Sukral road at an estimated cost of Rs 42.94 crore, Dyalachak Challan Road to Kouli Kupid road at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore, additional 90-meter span RCC bridge over river Jehlum at Khannabal (Anantnag) at an estimated cost of Rs 21.04 crore, widening/upgrading of road from NHID to Archoo Choskore (21 kilometers) in Kargil at an estimated cost of Rs. 24.08 crore and widening/up gradation of road connecting Broglunna Waka, Sherling Wak, Sarak Khangral, Kuktsay and 23.30 kilometers link road connecting Tumail, Gronyur Grong and Lungma Broq estimated to cost Rs 42.22 crore.
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