Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, May 21: Uncertainty looms large over proposed construction of four-lane Jammu and Srinagar Ring Roads as the State Government has refused to fund even half of the Land Acquisition cost for the two vital projects of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
Notwithstanding more than year long preliminary work for the construction and initiation of Land Acquisition process for the Ring Roads, financial constraints of the State Government have put brakes on the projects, official sources informed the Excelsior.
Expressing its inability to share even forty percent of Land Acquisition cost of the projects, the State Government in a communiqué to NHAI has suggested that Government of India be requested to provide the said amount as a special case or else some `innovative modal’ be explored to fund the cost, sources added.
It may be recalled that in September 2012, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had given his nod for the NHAI proposal of constructing Srinagar and Jammu Ring Roads to decongest traffic and provide alternate communication for commuters.
As per the Feasibility cum Preliminary Design Report, prepared by Louis Berger Consultancy Pvt Ltd, the proposed 57.80 km long Jammu Ring Road from Raya Morh near Vijaypur up to Nagrota Bypass, will pass through Bishnah and R S Pura areas.
This Rs 1315 crore project is vital for improved connectivity to the border posts and of strategic importance besides bringing economic development in the region.
Similarly, the Ring Road project for Srinagar is proposed to start at Galandar near Pampore and meet the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway near Narbal junction in its Phase-I. The road will be 4-lane with 6-lane future projection. Under the Phase-II of the project, a two-way road will start at Narbal and meet the Srinagar-Leh highway near Ganderbal. The Srinagar project is likely to cost Rs 1195 crore in Phase-I and Rs 448 crore in the Phase-II. The road length in the Phase-I will be 34.72 kilometers and in the Phase-II, 27.2 kilometers.
While NHAI is funding civil work on both the projects, the State Government has to share only forty percent of Land Acquisition and utility shifting cost, which is only Rs 213 crore for Jammu Ring road. About 55 private structures, seven utilities, one religious building and two Government structures are likely to be affected due to proposed Jammu bypass. Nearly 3300 families are likely to be affected with the project and they shall be compensated as per the NHAI Act, 1956.
However, even after initiating the process for land acquisition following the Chief Minister’s nod, the State Government dragged its feet from the project citing its inability to fund the cost of land involved.
“…….the issue of providing State share VGF above 40 percent together with the cost of land Acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement and Utility Shifting on equitable basis was taken up with the State Planning and Development Department who have conveyed their inability to fund huge cost of the land involved and suggested that GoI be requested to provide the said cost as a special case or else innovative model explored to fund the cost of land acquisition/ pre-construction activities,” says an official communiqué from Director Planning, Public Works (R&B) Department, J&K, sent to the Regional office of National Highway Authority of India, Ministry of Road Transport & Highway, GoI, last month.
According to the sources, the NHAI has forwarded the communiqué to Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, GoI, for its consideration. Since the new Government at Centre is in the process of formation, fate of both the Ring Road projects is uncertain as of now, sources added.
As per the Design Report, the Jammu Ring Road will touch 44 villages along or near project road, which included Dear Ghanotra, Rakh Badoi, Najwal, Ratnal, Avtar, Tinday, Nougran, Bansultan Anandpur, Mangu Chak, Lalyal, Kalian, Haripur Alora, Gandu Chak, Suhanjana, Bhagatpura Bazigar Basti, Chak Laldin, Shahpur, Tikri Rakwalan, Choana Chak, Ratanpur Paras Harmukand Flora, Karloop, Gujjar Basti Marh Bagh, Kullain, Tokrian, Shakha Peer, Jhafra Chak, Channu Chak, Pakhian Kantwala, Mishriwala (Sukka), Gurha Singhu Marjali, Kangar, Ambgrota, Bhalwar Tatani Talab, Khandwal Rakh and Nanal Palsa Chak.
Besides decongesting traffic and providing improved connectivity to the border posts and strategic importance, the proposed Jammu Ring Road is ought to bring economic development in the region as more road side business activities will come up supporting other developmental activities by improved accessibility.
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