Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 4: Minister of Public Works and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri, today said the State has limited resources but the Government is committed towards equitable development of all the three regions. He assured the House that there will be no disparity in the works in the constituencies.
While speaking on discussion on Demand of Grants for Public Works and Parliamentary Affairs Departments in the House, Veeri said that unlike other states Jammu and Kashmir has limited resources. “Who wouldn’t like to transform the road sector of our State. The condition of our roads affects the efficiency and delivery of other sectors like Tourism and Horticulture, which are the backbone of our economy. We want better connectivity in all constituencies and if there is a wound on one’s hand, the whole body is in pain,” he said.
The Public Works Minister said that due to limited resources, the State Governments have faced impediments in building new roads and upgrading the existing roads. “But I assure this House that even with the limited pool of resources, there will be no disparity in the allocation of funds. I realise the pressure that the MLAs face in their constituencies”, he added.
Veeri said that R&B is a core sector that lends support to and boosts activities of other departments. “To set J&K on the path of investment, we need infrastructure planning and timely delivery to improve the living standard of our citizens across the State,” he said.
Giving details of damage to R&B infrastructure in the State in 2014-floods, the Minister said nearly 6000 kilometers of road length and 600 bridges were fully or partially damaged in the deluge. “Upgradation of roads in cities and towns was started on war footing and up to ending March 2016, 1810 km of road length across the State has been covered under macadamization program. Permanent restoration of 202 bridges was sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 259.85 crore under Prime Minister’s Package for Flood damaged Infrastructure. Work on 87 bridges stands completed ending March 2016 and work on remaining bridges is expected to be completed during the current fiscal”, he said.
Veeri said that the government has finalized the agreement with the World Bank and around Rs. 500 crores have been proposed for restoration of roads and bridges damaged during the floods of 2014.
The R&B Minister said to decongest twin capitals, two ring roads around cities of Srinagar and Jammu with aggregate length of 118 km have been approved by the Centre under PM’s package at a cost of Rs 3600 crore.
The Minister said ‘Special Bridge Programme’ is being implemented by the R&B Department under Capex Budget. “Presently 488 bridges are under construction in the State, which are at various stages of completion. During 2015-16, 30 bridges have been completed and similar number of bridges is expected to be completed during 2016-17. “To complete all pending projects, there is requirement of nearly Rs 665 crore, therefore bridges for Rs 500 crore are being proposed for funding to the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways,” he added.
To declare the Mughal Road as an alternative highway, Veeri said the Government is vigorously pursuing the construction of a tunnel between Zaznar and Chatapnai at a cost of Rs 3500 crore with the Centre.
Minister said the R&B Department will focus on improving access roads to tourist destinations across the State which was dream of former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. “A road length of 175 kms was macadamized at an estimated cost of Rs 96 crore”, he added.
Later, the House passed grants of Public Works (R&B) and Parliamentary Affairs Departments, for the year 2016-17, which were moved by the Minister, amounting to Rs 2539.12 crore and Rs. 42.97 crore with voice vote.
The NC MLA Shamima Firdous while speaking on the demands of grants said that various bridge projects including Barbar Shah bridge, that were taken up are incomplete in her constituency. She also demanded macadamization of roads in her constituency.
Shah Mohammad Tantray demanded that far flung areas of his constituency needs road connectivity. He demanded that the Mughal Road tunnel should be taken up on priority and also demanded By-pass in Mandi area.
Ranbir Singh Pathania said that the projects under PMGSY in 2008 are yet to be completed in his constituency. He said that funds should be provided to these projects from State sector so that they are completed. He demanded that inflated Estimates by the departments should be stopped. He said that a makeshift road constructed by villagers in 40-50 years ago in Ram Nagar area was sanctioned Rs 42 lakh last year and the work was done. He expressed concern that the alignment of the road was not changed and it has been damaged at around 10 places.
G M Saroori demanded macadamization of roads in his constituency and work on the hospital building to be completed.
Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh said that the contractors should be made accountable as they leave the works half way.
Hakeem Yasin demanded better road connectivity in far flung areas. He also demanded completion of Poonch-Tangmarg road that can be alternate road to Mughal Road. He also demanded completion of work on the three Rest houses that are being constructed in his constituency.
Mian Altaf demanded that the Zakoora-Waiyal Road be repaired and bottle necks be removed. He demanded that the PMGSY works in his constituency be implemented as the works are incomplete.
Abdul Majid Paddar said that the roads and bridges in his constituency were damaged during 2014 floods and demanded their construction.
MY Tarigami demanded the political institutions need to be strengthened and demanded 100 sitting for the Legislative Assembly in a year. He also demanded macadamization of few roads in his constituency on priority. He demanded workshops be conducted for MLAs and raised the issues of Assembly employees.
Kuldeep Kumar demanded more funds for the border roads in his constituency and construction of a bridge near the border. He said that the work on roads should be completed before the monsoon season. He also demanded road project for his constituency under CRF.
Aijaz Ahmad Khan demanded that the roads in his constituency need to be upgraded. He demanded completed of roads under CRF and NABARD and expressed serious concern over the delay in forest clearance for the roads.
Pawan Gupta expressed concern that Rs 166 crore has been reduced for the R&B in the budget as compared to that of last year. He said that no CRF project has been allotted to Udhampur district for last 14 years. He said that the district has been neglected in road projects. He demanded more funds from State sector for the roads of the district. He also expressed concern over the encroachments of rights of MLAs by the Ministers.
Abdul Rahim Rather demanded accountability in the execution of works. He also demanded timely completion of roads and bridges in his constituency especially bridges on Semthan road.
Choudhry Akram demanded more funds for maintenance of Mughal road and construction of tunnel. He raised the issue of Bafliaz road and highlighted the corruption in BRO and lack of accountability in the organization.
Rajeev Jasrotia raised the issue of regional disparity in macadamization and demanded equitable development for all the three regions of the State. He said that Rs 700-800 cr were spent on macadamization of roads in Valley while in Jammu only Rs 200-300 cr were spent. He accused the Government of neglecting its MLAs and said that the Government won’t work like this.
Usman Majid said that Rs 28 lakhs have been allocated to Bandipora district for roads, which are not enough.
Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar demanded macadamization of roads in his constituency. He demanded removing of bottle necks from Zakoora-Vailu road.
Mohammad Khalil Bhand demanded more funds for R&B Department and immediate macadamization of roads before winter.
Javed Rana demanded more funds for mini Secretariat in his constituency.
Ravinder Raina asked about the maintenance of roads that were constructed under PMGSY scheme.
Deldan Namgial said that the answer provided to him on road projects in his constituency are misleading. He said no work is being done on them. He said that only defence is constructing roads in his constituency.
Yawar Mir demanded macadamization of roads in his constituency. He said that NABARD projects which were taken up three years ago are yet to be completed.
Mumtaz Ahmad said that there are huge pot holes on roads in his constituency and demanded immediate repairs.
Aijaz Mir said that no NABARD project was allotted to Shopian district for last 8 years and demanded more such projects for the district.
Vikar Rasool demanded prioritization of NABARD projects and said that these should be sanctioned as per the connectivity.
Amin Bhat demanded equal share in road and bridges for his constituency and said there should be no disparity.
Jeevan Lal demanded upgradation of roads in Bani and Basohli areas of his constituency. He also demanded macadamization of roads in his constituency.
Raja Manzoor said that no macadamization of roads has taken place in his constituency and demanded Tunnel at Sadna.
Abdul Rashid Dar demanded upgradation and macadamization of roads Sopore-Bandipora and Sopore-Bombai Road.
Rigzin Jora demanded that the funds for the projects should not be allocated on political considerations. He demanded completion of roads under PMGSY and black listing of companies that fail to complete projects. He said that there is no road to Pyongyang lake in Ladakh.
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