Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Aug 1: Conceding the request of the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, the Union Ministry of Surface Transport and National Highways has issued orders for handing over three important National Highways to Public Works Department of the State Government. Moreover, the Ministry has hinted at providing adequate funds for the widening and up-gradation of Manali-Leh and Jammu-Poonch roads, which were declared as National Highways recently.
The Chief Minister in his first meeting with the Surface Transport and National Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari on July 9 had demanded handing over of three important roads—Domail-Katra, Kargil-Zanskar and Batote-Kishtwar for maintenance to J&K PWD.
“The demand has been conceded by the Union Ministry by issuing formal orders regarding transfer of these three important roads to PWD”, official sources told EXCELSIOR, adding “while Katra-Domail has immediately been taken over by the PWD, the Batote-Kishtwar and Kargil-Zanskar National Highways would be formally accepted by the concerned authorities of the PWD within next few days”.
Though the maintenance aspect of these roads would be taken care of by PWD, the funds for the same would be given by the Union Ministry, they said while disclosing that after declaration of National Highway these roads have become the asset of Union Government as such funding has to be given by the Ministry of Surface Transport and National Highways.
In response to a question, they said, “after declaring any road as National Highway, the Union Surface Transport Ministry entrusts its maintenance to different agencies like National Highway Authority of India, Border Roads Organization (BRO) or even R&B Department of the concerned State”.
They disclosed that Jammu-Akhnoor-Rajouri-Poonch road, which was recently declared as National Highway, is also likely to be entrusted to the J&K PWD for maintenance and up-gradation. “The entrustment process will be completed shortly as State PWD has already given No Objection Certificate to the Union Ministry”, sources informed.
The entrustment process has also been set into motion by the Union Ministry in respect of Manali-Leh and Budgam-Qazigund via Pulwama and Shopian roads, which were also declared National Highways recently, they said.
It is pertinent to mention here that Domail-Katra, Batote-Kishtwar and Kargil-Zanskar roads despite being of vital importance are in bad shape at some places due to lack of proper maintenance. Thousands of pilgrims visit Katra, the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine daily, using Domail-Katra road, a major portion of which was in worst condition. Similarly, major portions of Batote-Kishtwar and Kargil-Zanskar roads have almost been turned into fair weather roads as heavy rains either lead to their blockade or massive traffic jams.
“In view of this, Chief Minister was justified in demanding entrustment of these roads to J&K PWD so that their condition is improved and authorities concerned are answerable to the State Government”, sources said, adding “till date Border Roads Organization was maintaining these roads and they were not adhering to the directives from the State Government regarding their proper upkeep”.
When contacted, Chief Engineer, R&B, Jammu, Hamid Sheikh confirmed that three roads have been transferred to State PWD by the Union Ministry on the request of the Chief Minister. “We are formulating plan indicating the funds required for the proper maintenance of these National Highways”, he said, adding the plan would be submitted to the Union Ministry very shortly.
In response to a question, he claimed that State PWD can better maintain these National Highways as compared to BRO.
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