*Conducts aerial survey; meets Governor, CM
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Sept 22: Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways and Rural Development, Nitin Gadkari today announced Rs 200 crore for drinking water and repair of roads in the flood ravaged Jammu and Kashmir besides earmarking additional budget for water purification plants, repair of National Highway and Border Roads Organization (BRO) works.
Mr Gadkari made this announcement at summer capital of the State after conducting aerial survey of different parts of the Kashmir valley during his daylong visit to take stock of the situation in the aftermath of massive devastation during the recent natural calamity. Minister of State (MoS) Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, accompanied him.
Highly placed sources told EXCELSIOR that Mr Gadkari after assessing the prevailing situation during the aerial survey conveyed to the State Government that he for the time being was allocating Rs 125 crore for repairs of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Rs 60 crore for drinking water.
While reiterating the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide every financial and logistic help required for relief and rehabilitation work in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Gadkari further announced that additional funds would be provided as and when required by the State. He said that 24 water purification plants having the capacity of producing 6 lakh liters of water every day have already been provided to the State and 30 more such plants would be provided within next few days.
While chairing a meeting of the senior officers, Mr Gadkari directed the Border Roads Organization to immediately undertake repair of roads for which extra expenditure would be compensated by the Union Government, sources said, adding “the Union Road Transport Minister, while responding to the long standing request of Dr Jitendra Singh, sanctioned a bridge at Keedhiyan-Gardyal in Kathua, the work on which will begin shortly”.
He also announced construction of Sinthan Pass and tunnel to connect Kishtwar with Anantnag through all weather road. With this, the Kishtwar-Anantnag road would become alternate road link between twin capitals of the State.
Mr Gadkari also made mention about other road projects in Jammu and Kashmir, which are being supported by the Union Government, sources said, adding he referred to Qazigund-Banihal stretch on NH-1A, Srinagar-Banihal stretch, Chenani-Nashri tunnel, Jammu-Udhampur widening, Ramban-Banihal and Udhampur-Ramban besides Z-Morh and Zojila Tunnels on National Highway 1D.
The Union Minister accompanied by Dr Jitendra Singh also had separate meetings with the Governor, N N Vohra and Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah.
Mr Gadkari and the Governor discussed various issues relating to the aftermath of the devastation caused by the unprecedented floods in the State, particularly the serious damage caused to the road network and the washing away of several important bridges.
The Governor also raised with Mr Gadkari the importance of speeding up the completion of ongoing 4-laning of the Jammu- Srinagar National Highway, the need for establishing an alternate route to the existing Batote-Doda road and the measures required to be taken to reduce the continuously growing number of fatal casualties on account of recurring road accidents in certain areas of the State.
Mr Gadkari assured all necessary help to restore the road network in the State, after the recent floods, and provide support for all the issues about which the Governor had written to him. The Governor requested Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, for early installation of a Doppler Radar in the Valley for prompt and accurate weather forecasts. This Radar would also be of immense help in enhancing the day to day management of Shri Amarnathji Yatra as the movements would be permitted on the basis of highly accurate weather forecasts.
Dr Singh informed that from the Department of Space Technology, a group of experts from Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) had set up disaster camps in Kashmir and they would collaborate by carrying out a detailed satellite “mapping” of the location and extent of road-damage.
Mr Gadkari also discussed prevailing situation with the Chief Minister, who gave resume of the efforts of the State Government for providing necessary succor to the flood affected and putting in place measures on war footing for relief and rehabilitation besides making health institutions functional, providing ration and other essentials to the people and dewatering of water logged areas particularly in the Srinagar city.
Omar sought liberal and extraordinary package from the Central Government for rehabilitation of flood affected and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and the private property including residential houses. He also sought special package for the traders and business community and horticulturists, farmers and others affected for compensation for the huge losses incurred due to flood and torrential rains.
Later in the day, Gadkari along with Dr Jitendra Singh visited a voluntary Medical Aid Camp organized by Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee and leaders of Sikh community living in the Valley. They appreciated the efforts of the Sikh volunteers for offering to serve the flood victims irrespective of religion or caste.
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