Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 19: Minister for Public Works (Road & Buildings), Naeem Akhtar today claimed that funds to the tune of Rs 10.5 crore have been drawn against a road project worth Rs 11 crore in Chenab belt but that road exists nowhere.
The Minister made these startling revelations during ‘Question Hour’ in the Upper House when the Congress Legislator, Naresh Gupta said that leaders of this coalition have resorted to such cheap publicity that they laid foundation stone of a Dradu-Gutasa Road in Bhaderwah recently involving a big Central leader and some Ministers, which road is already in use for the last about 10 years. “They are such publicity hungry and making public fool by resorting to such practices. Either they have some inferiority complex or they just are after publicity,” Gupta alleged.
Minister of State for R&B Sunil Sharma was responding. But Minister for R&B Naeem Akhtar, who was also present in the House, intervened and said he will hold inquiry into the matter.
Then the Minister revealed that a noted leader of the area got funds worth Rs 11 cores sanctioned for a link road in Chenab belt. Surprisingly, Rs 10.50 crore have been shown utilized and withdrawn from the state exchequer but that road was no where existing.
The Congress member contested and asked the Minister to reveal the name of the road and the ‘top leader’, but the Minister said,” Don’t force me to speak. With the passage of time, you all will come to know about this. We will hold inquiry into the matter.”
Gupta, however, said as per reply of Government just 8.5 km road length has been blacktopped in Bhaderwah during past three years. How much time will be consumed to complete 87.65 kms road length in Bhaderwah and Doda where six R&B and PMGSY Divisions are involved? The Minister, however, claimed that by the end of this financial year, the area will be covered. He said so far Rs 20.54 crore have been spent.
Akhtar further said that there were no hot mix plants available in this belt and moreover, there was shortage stone crushers also. The matter has been taken up with the local DCs of the area. A mobile hot mix plant has been deployed in the area for the purpose. By the next year, the things will improve, he added.
While replying to a question of Congress legislator from Billawar, Thakur Balbir Singh in the Upper House, the Minister informed that Dayalachak-Dinga Amb-Chhallan Road has been declared as National Highway by Central Government.
He said DPR for the project would be completed in next three-four months and the Government would maintain the road for smooth traffic movement till the actual work is started.
The Member pressed that condition of road was worst and at many places the road has been broken. The State R&B Department must spent some money on its repair till the road is handed over to National Highway Authorities. He also pleaded that heavy traffic of loaded trucks, trailers etc be diverted to the National Highway as many vehicles proceeding to Kashmir use this road being short cut.The Minister said that matter would be conveyed to the concerned officers.
Replying to another question of Legislator Aga Syed Mahmood, the Minister said that the DPR for the four-laning of 6 km long Humhuma-Budgam road has been formulated at an estimated cost of Rs 40.35 crore, adding that, Rs 34.41 crore is required for acquisition of structures and land.
Legislator Vikram Randhawa raised supplementary question related to the maintenance of road leading to famous Bawe Wali Mata Shrine in Bahu Fort area and sought direction from the ‘chair’ for its maintenance as the religious sentiments of the people are involved.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Public Works Sunil Kumar Sharma, replying to a question of Naresh Gupta informed that 87.65 km road length has been macadamized in Bhaderwah and Doda during the last three years on which Rs 20.54 crore has been expended. He said the left over work would be completed during 2018-19.
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