* Inaugurates Diamond Jubilee celebrations of RBI
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 28: Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta today held that the deliverables regarding the R&B Department should be adhered to and the road projects interconnecting the 2 divisions of the UT expedited for all weather smooth connectivity.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, PWD; PCCF; Commissioner Secretary, Forests; Commissioner Secretary, Revenue; Secretary PD&MD; Secretary, Transport; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; DG Budget; RO NHAI, DCs of Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur and Samba.
Dr Mehta impressed upon the officers to complete the Semi-Ring Road for Jammu up to March next year and explore the possibility of Ring-Road around the city for the ease of commuters. He asked them to prepare a DPR at an early date.
The Chief Secretary also stressed on the officers to expedite preparation of DPR for the Kathua-Bani-Sarthal-Bhadarwah-Doda Road without any delays. He told them that it is of great significance with respect to giving boost to tourism in these areas. He directed for connecting it with both Jammu-Srinagar Highway and Sinthan-Kishtwar Road for its maximizing its utility.
He told them that the Sinthan-Kishtwar and Sonamarg Road should be maintained round the year. He called for readiness of men and machinery for snow clearance of these roads for minimizing disruptions during winters.
He also emphasized that the Delhi-Katra Expressway corridor should have an interchange with the Srinagar-Jammu Highway so that people traveling on this Expressway could come out to this highway for proceeding towards Srinagar. He called for expediting the work on Jaswal Bridge easing traffic conditions on the highway.
Dr Mehta asked the authorities to improve the overall road surface between Ramban and Banihal . He told them to give daily reports about the trucks parked on the Highway and the time for which these are made to halt there. He told them to declare the stretches of Jawahar Tunnel and Patnitop as part of National Highway so that these are maintained effectively.
He took notice of the repeated delays by the Executing Agencies in completing the T3 and T5 Tunnels on the National Highway. He urged them to complete the both without any further delays as these would be pivotal in making travel easier on this road. He asked them to look into the possibility of connecting the tourist destinations of Budgam-Yousmarg-Doodhpathri-Tosamaidan-Gulmarg so that all these locations are visited as a package together.
The Chief Secretary directed to facilitate smooth traffic flow on the Ramban- Banihal stretch of the National Highway, the traffic police and district administration were directed to properly demarcate single-lane driving zones and ensure lane-driving and traffic discipline among the commuters.
He further directed the District Administration, Ramban to reduce the response time for clearing up traffic snarl ups on the highway caused by vehicles breakdown or accidents by deploying adequate number of cranes on Ramban-Banihal stretch, particularly on the under-construction stretches.
The Chief Secretary also instructed the Divisional and District administration Jammu to give facelift to the entry point at Lakhanpur so that the entrance to J&K is reflective of its natural beauty. He asked them to take immediate steps for starting work on the project so that it is completed forthwith.
Meanwhile, Dr Mehta inaugurated the celebrations of Diamond Jubilee function of Reserve Bank of India, Jammu.
Kamal P. Patnaik, Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, senior officials from RBI and its present and retired staff members were present on the occasion.
A video showcasing the journey of Reserve Bank of India, Jammu from year 1962 was played at the function.
The important milestones and achievement of RBI, Jammu were highlighted in the video. A memoir on RBI Jammu’s journey during these 60 years was also unveiled by the Chief Secretary.
Dr. Mehta acknowledged the contribution of RBI, Jammu in developing the region and hoped that the staff members of RBI will continue to work hard in collaboration with UT administration to make J&K a developed economy.
Kamal P. Patnaik, Regional Director, RBI also congratulated its staff members, present and retired on completing 60 years and appreciated their efforts. He exhorted upon the RBI employees to work even harder to take the country forward in this ‘Amrit Kaal’.
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