Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Sept 28: The connectivity to about 26 villages in Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts is still snapped as nine roads and some bridges/ culverts which suffered damage in recent rains and floods are yet to be restored by the State R&B authorities who have projected a demand of Rs 170 crore for permanent restoration work on these damaged roads and bridges in three districts.
Reports from district Kathua said that approach roads to the four bridges and 13 foot bridges were damaged in district Kathua during recent floods and rains. The restoration work could not be completed so far even after three weeks of the damages. The roads which fall in Basohli and Billawar area besides Kathua Division of R&B are- Gujru Nagrota to Kah Kasheed road (10 kms), Pongran to Bhaddu road (10.5 km), Katli Deri Galla road via Chew (13.5 km), Taloti-Palano road, Ludnoo to Dhar Dugnu road and last portion of Katli-Malhar road.
While in district Samba almost all the roads expect two small link roads in Sumb area are still blocked, in district Jammu Kahpota-Slay road, Kana Chadgal to Mela road, Dera Baba road from Aghore and link road from Nagrota to Marh are still not restored. With this the link to over 26 villages is still snapped and the public is suffering badly.
Superintending Engineer R&B, Jammu-Kathua Circle S P Manhas claimed that in two R&B Divisions of Basohli and Kathua, a total road length of 420 kms was damaged in recent rains and floods out of which 392 kms has been restored temporarily. He claimed that temporary restoration work would cost around Rs 20.87 crore while the permanent cost of this restoration work has been projected as Rs 24.94 crores by the concerned Executive Engineers and it has been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner Kathua.
He further disclosed that out of the total projected funds, a peanut amount of Rs 30 lakh has been released so far for the restoration work by the R&B Department in Kathua district. No funds were received from the District administration so far as the same has not been released by the Government on account of package announced by the Centre.
The SE R&B further claimed that in district Samba, the approach roads to six bridges have been damaged. Some small bridges/ pulis/ culverts were also damaged. A total 328 kms roads were damaged in floods of which almost all have been restored temporarily. The concerned Executive Engineer Samba has projected that at least Rs 11.16 crores are required for the temporary restoration while Rs 40 crore for the permanent restoration work. The same has been submitted to the DC Samba. DC Samba Mubarak Singh has released Rs 86 lakhs while R&B Department only Rs 10 lakh for the immediate restoration work, he added.
Referring to the damages caused to roads, bridges and culverts/ Pulis etc in district Jammu, Mr Manhas said two spans of bridge on Nikki Tawi Jammu have been damaged. Left side of approach of 4th bridge on river Tawi is damaged but the bridge structure is safe. The temporary restoration work on this bridge is almost over now. The connectivity to Fallain Mandal from Nikki Tawi side where a bridge was washed away has been restored by Army by launching pantoon bridge.
Replying to a question the SE said that in district Jammu, 586 kms road length was damaged in recent floods and rains, out of which 545 kms of road length has been temporary restored by providing motor path. The temporary restoration cost of the damaged works amounting to Rs 43.87 crores and the permanent restoration cost amounting to Rs 105.23 crore has been submitted the higher authorities. Mr Manhas disclosed that DC Jammu has released Rs 117 lakh and Chief Engineer R&B Rs 60 lakh for the immediate restoration works in the district so far.
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