Four lanning of NHI-A1 from Jammu to Srinagar and then to Baramulla has been a cherished project of the State that is likely to give completely new shape to connectivity map of the State. The project has many phases and is distributed into various sectors for efficient and precise work that is to be done. But as is known to all, the road passes over mountains most of which are made of sand and rubble and are vulnerable to landslides in heavy rains. This would cause long blockades or suspension of traffic along this crucial and strategic highway. With increase in population and phenomenal expansion of trade and traffic, it was realized that modernization of the road should be undertaken and traffic snarls had to be removed. The concept of four-lanning was developed during the premiership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It envisaged not only expansion of the national highway but also took into account construction of culverts, bridges and most conspicuously two tunnels that would reduce the distance and ease out the traffic.
One very prestigious tunnel is to run between Chenani and Nashri. The later spot is considered most vulnerable to landslides and it was, therefore, decided that the 41 kilometer long stretch of the National Highway would be reduced to 10.89 kilometers only at a cost of 2519 crore rupees. The execution of the project was scheduled to come to completion by 2016. Great hopes are attached to the success of this link as it will make the journey shorter in distance and in time and above all it would make sure that traffic on the National Highway remains open throughout the year howsoever rain and snow may come. A good deal of work on the tunnel and excavating earth has already been done and the remaining work was in good progress. It was expected that the tunneling would be brought to completion by the end of this month.
Actually, the State has an ambitious plan of connectivity in next one decade that will once for all remove its age old isolation. The State has plans for round the year connectivity with Ladakh and Kargil which are snow bound for eight months of the year. Slowly and steadily the State will be inching towards the objective of spreading a network of rail and road connectivity in the State that will give new shape and content to economy of the State. The Centre is already seized of the situation and has taken proper steps of providing adequate funds for these projects. At the same time, the Ministry of Defence too has very ambitious and visionary plans of bringing road and rail connectivity to the farthest point on our borders with China and Pakistan. We need roads and rail links to our last posts on the border with these two neighbours who are not much disposed to be friendly to us.
It is reported that the work on some strips of Chenani-Nashri tunnel has suddenly slowed own. Previously work used to be one in shifts but now that has been stopped and only one shift runs the show. Many expert hands included foreigners have been thrown out of job because of paucity of funds. The Project Developer, M/s IL&FS Transportation Network Limited is reported to have developed some differences with the Contractor M/s Leighton Contractors (India) Pvt. Ltd and as a result flow of funds has been curtailed. This has led to the reduction in the strength of labour employed and as squeeze has been exercised on funding, many foreign experts have been forced to leave. They were not happy with the stoppage or delay in payment of salaries/wages. Thus the part of the work that was scheduled to be finished by the end of this month is likely to take another three months to complete. IL&FS Transportation Network Limited alleges that the Contractor has been overcharging in the bills and was not possible for them to give a green nod. In all fairness, this situation should not have developed. According to the IL&AF the contractor has tried to misuse the difficulties arising out of floods in the Valley and the Pir Panchal range in the first week of September. As such it has put a squeeze on releasing of funds. We would appeal to both sides not to lose their restraint and sort out their difference amicably and resume their normal work. They need to understand the sentiments of the people of the State in general and of the traders community in particular who keep the nerves of the State economy functional. The National Highway Authority of India, under whose supervision the entire project has been undertaken, must also come forward and help in sorting out the problem between the parties. It cannot stay at a distance and just become a silent spectator to something that is happening but should not happen.
Apart from this more complaints are coming in against NHAI not being serious about speedy improvement of roads and culverts that have suffered many damages owing to the recent floods. Particularly in the stretch in several areas of South Kashmir, near Pampore, the road is in such a bad condition that driving of any vehicle has become very difficult and full of hazards. Road with potholes is responsible for traffic jam on the highway. It is the duty of NHI to repair it immediately.
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