Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 24: The Union Ministry for Surface Transport and Highways has approved two semi ring roads, first ever in the history of Jammu and Kashmir at the cost of Rs 3260 crores and announced that entire construction cost of the roads will be borne by the Centre. The Ministry will also bear 90 per cent cost of land acquisition and utility.
Of two semi ring roads, one each has been approved by the Union Ministry for Surface Transport and National Highways, headed by BJP leader Dr Nitin Gadkari for Jammu and Srinagar, the two rotational capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the Union Ministry had approved Rs 3260 crores for the two major roads and asked the Jammu and Kashmir Government to immediately come out with Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), site plans, areas from where the roads would pass through and all other requisite formalities before release of funds to acquire land and start the construction work.
“The roads will be constructed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) since it is completely Centrally funded project as the Union Surface Transport Ministry will be bearing 100 per cent construction cost and 90 per cent land acquisition and utility cost,” sources said, adding the NHAI has completed the preliminary survey on both the semi ring road project and would be shortly taking up the process for land acquisition.
The semi ring road of Jammu would be taken up in two phases. In Phase-I, the ring road would start from Thandi Khui near Vijaypur and reach Akhnoor via Derian while in Phase-II, the road would be taken from Akhnoor to Jagti in Nagrota and linked with Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
With this entire traffic bound to Srinagar, Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims and five districts of Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar besides tourist spots of Kud, Patnitop and Sanasar etc will be directed through semi ring road from Vijaypur and land at Jagti-Nagrota, thus, immensely reducing the traffic burden on Vijaypur-Jammu road and entire Jammu City including BC road.
“Out of Rs 3260 crores to be spent on the Union Ministry for Surface Transport and Highways on the two semi ring roads, Rs 1860 crores have been approved for Srinagar ring road and Rs 1400 crores for Jammu ring road,” sources said.
They added that Jammu ring road will have 57 kilometers length and Srinagar 60 kilometers.
Both the ring roads will run parallel to the existing Highway or the City roads in Jammu and Srinagar and will be connected at major points to help the people living in between to take the ring roads for onwards journey.
Pointing out that the ring roads would go long way in reducing traffic congestion in both capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar, sources said that construction work on the two roads would start once the DPRs and related formalities are completed and submitted to the Union Ministry for Surface Transport and National Highways, which would start releasing funds to the NHAI for completion of projects.
It may be mentioned here that the construction of ring roads in Jammu and Srinagar cities to overcome traffic congestion was long pending demand of the people of both the capital cities. However, PDP-BJP coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir took up the matter with Union Minister for Surface Transport and National Highway Nitin Gadkari, who took keen interest in the projects and not only approved them but decided that the Centre would bear 100 per cent cost of construction (of the roads).
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