Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Apr 29: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today met Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari and discussed with him the issues relating to improvement in the condition of National Highways in the State especially the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which has faced frequent closures due to bad weather in the last couple of months.
Mufti discussed the matter regarding delay in finalization of contract for four-laning of National Highway 1A stretch between Ramban to Banihal, which is in extremely bad shape. He raised the issue of slow pace of work on Srinagar-Qazigund expressway, which is creating a lot of inconvenience to the people. He emphasized that since the four-laning of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is bypassing major towns like Nagrota, Udhampur, Batote, Qazigund, Bijbehara and Pampore, arrangements for its regular maintenance have to be ensured.
It was given out in the meeting that the process of allotment of work will be expedited. The project is being executed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
The NHAI assured that arrangement with the contractor will be reviewed and the State Government will be informed about all aspects of maintenance of National Highways within a period of three weeks.
Referring to the pressing need of the State to improve road connectivity, the Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to declare Mughal Road as an alternate National Highway. He said till the four-laning of the entire National Highway from Jammu to Srinagar is completed, which is going to take quite some time, the Mughal Road may be declared as an alternate National Highway.
“Post-floods of September 2014 when the NHIA is blocked, the strategic Mughal Road proved to be the lifeline for supplies to Kashmir valley,” Mufti Sayeed said.
Gadkari assured Sayeed that the request will be considered after a formal reference is made by the State Government to the Ministry of Road Transport.
The Chief Minister laid stress on construction of Chenani-Sudhmahadev-Khelani-Doda road, bypassing Kud, Batote stretch, which is snowbound. However, he directed the Commissioner / Secretary to explore the possibility of realignment since some parts of Khelani and Pul Doda are vulnerable to landslides.
Mufti Sayeed also raised the issue of clearance of last year’s pending sanctions as well as sanctions for the current fiscal under CRF (Central Road Fund). It was given out that out of 32 works under CRF, 17 have been authorized till date.
He directed Commissioner / Secretary, Public Works Rohit Kansal to put Khanabal-Pahalgam Road, which is very important for annual Amarnath Yatra route and flow of tourists, on highest priority under CRF.
The meeting decided that Rs. 480 crore worth projects under CRF have been sanctioned for J&K, out of which Rs 347 crore have been released. The meeting was assured that as soon as the Utilization Certificates (UCs) are conveyed to the Union Ministry, the balance amount of last year as well as fresh sanctions for the current year will be released.
The issues relating to maintenance and construction of roads under BRO, including Batote-Kishtwar-Sinthan Road (Old NH 1-B), release of maintenance funds for PMGSY roads and levying of toll tax were also discussed in detail.
To decongest the capital cities, proposal for construction of Circular Roads in Jammu and Srinagar also came up for discussion.
Mufti Sayeed raised the issue of 6-lanning of road from Batmaloo to Narbal. The Administrative Department was asked to prepare a detailed project report in the matter. Six- lanning from Dalgate to Pantha Chowk also came under discussion for which the concerned department was directed to take up the matter with BRO for the portion under their jurisdiction.
The Chief Minister said the Government has taken several measures to remove the bottlenecks in the acquisition of land so that construction of all roads under Central sector was fast-tracked.
Among others the meeting was attended by Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B B Vyas, Commissioner / Secretary, Public Works, Rohit Kansal, and Chief Engineers, R&B, Jammu and Kashmir provinces.
From the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Chief Engineer, P-I, A K Srivastava and Chief General Manager (T), B S Singla attended the meeting.
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