Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, July 30: Prestigious Bhaderwah-Chamba road project worth Rs 80.66 crore, under inter-state connectivity sector of the Central Road Fund (CRF), is likely to jump another deadline of September 30, 2014, in view of financial crunch and non-payment of fund to the constructing agency.
While all the three important bridges on this 50 kms double- lane road up to Khundi Maral on J&K-Himachal border have been completed, nearly 16 kms road is yet to be black-topped by the agency. Roads and Buildings Department of J&K is initiating work on this important road project, connecting district Doda of J&K directly with Chamba in Himachal Pradesh. From Bhaderwah town, Chamba is nearly 144 kms.
Sources said that pace of work on this road has been slowed down for the last few months in view of financial crunch. The R&B authorities have failed to make payment of Rs 11 crore to the Punjab based company MGC Pvt Ltd.
Locals maintained that road will not be ready before the coming Mani-Mahesh Yatra in Chamba district of Himachal. Over 25,000 to 30,000 pilgrims from Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts perform Mani Mahesh Yatra every year. This time, though road has not been officially declared opened, yet R&B authorities have said that remaining 16 kms road is mettled with three layers (G1, G2, G3 specifications) and all types of vehicles can use this route now for the Yatra to Chamba instead of taking to lengthy Udhampur- Dhar Mahanpur-Lakhanpur route.
This road was sanctioned from the Central Road Fund with the initiative of the then J&K Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad in 2007-08. The work actually started in May 2010 and three years’ completion target was given to the company. May 2013 was the dead line fixed for completion of project by the Government. As during winter season, the work can not be initiated in the snow bound areas on higher reaches, some extra time was given to the agency for the completion. Now, Sept 30, 2014 has been given as the final deadline for the completion of the road.
Sources said that over 30,000 pilgrims are likely to visit Mani Mahesh this year from Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban area and all of them intended to use this route. The Annual Yatra Committee members from Bhaderwah had also met the Deputy Commissioner Doda and SE Doda recently in this connection, with the request to improve this road so that maximum pilgrims could use this route for pilgrimage. It has been learnt that after this, the road condition was improved and even on the remaining portion, mettled top work was completed for free movement of vehicles.
Executive Engineer R&B Bhaderwah Division A N Kundal, who is connected with this project when contacted said that 34 kms of road has been black topped. He disclosed that total length of the road up to Himachal (Chamba) border is 50 kms. This is double lane and remaining 16 kms road portion has been mettled with three layers. It is just ready for black topping. The works on most of the culverts/ `Pulis’ have also almost completed. Three vital bridges on this road are also ready for use.
Mr Kundal further disclosed that from Khundi Maral (Himachal border), the distance of Chamba town is 94 kms. From Khundi Maral the distance of small village Langera is 14 kms. Up to this point also, the road is `kutcha’ but it is motorable. But that is the responsibility of Himachal Government. He said the vehicles ply on that side of the border.
When asked whether agency would be able to meet the deadline of September 30, 2014, Mr Kundal said there are two months left and if the funds were made available the target can be achieved. He said there is liability of Rs 11 crore of the private contractors. They have yet to receive Rs 11 crore. Some funds ( Rs 5 crore) are pending for clearance in the Government Treasury.
To yet another question, the R&B officer said that initially the project cost was Rs 74.73 crore but in view of 10 % price escalation, the project cost has been hiked to Rs 80.66 crore. Till now, a payment of Rs 58.34 crore has been made to the constructing agency. Rs 5 crore is pending for clearance in Treasury for last several months, while works worth Rs 6 crore have been performed by contractor. Therefore, Rs 69 crore has been spent on this project so far and if the pending payments are cleared, the work can be performed in next two months. He however, expressed his apprehensions that this rainy season may hamper the pace of work on the remaining 16 kms of road. Kundal said even in view of rains, the work would be completed by October ending but the flow of funds is equally important for the completion of the project.
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