Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 20: National Highways are considered as lifeline of any State and country because these connect capitals and places of strategic importance but these lifelines in the hilly and border State of Jammu and Kashmir were virtually chocked by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at Centre during the last three years of its one-decade long rule.
This can be gauged from the figures of Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which clearly indicate how Jammu and Kashmir was treated like State of Telangana as far as allocation of funds for the development and maintenance of National Highways is concerned.
There are four main National Highways in Jammu and Kashmir—1A, 1B, 1C and 1D besides some small highways developed during the past less than one decade having a total length of 2319 kilometers and connect length and breadth of the State with rest of the country.
The National Highway 1A, which connects twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar is about 300 kilometer long and runs through some extremely treacherous terrain and even remains closed during winter because of avalanches and landslides.
Similarly, National Highway 1B having length of 274 kilometers connects Batote with Khannabal via Doda, Kishtwar and Simpthan pass. This National Highway too runs through mountainous areas and remains closed due to snowfall at different places.
Likewise, National Highway 1C (Domail-Katra) having length of 8 kilometer provides road connectivity to the holy town of Katra, the base camp of cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi, with the National Highway 1A. This highway is also considered as off shoot of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
National Highway 1D, which connects summer capital of the State with Leh, the extreme end of Jammu and Kashmir towards China, is the only road which provides connectivity to the entire Ladakh region with the rest of the State.
Moreover, there are some more National Highways albeit of not much length and these have been categorized as 3 New, 144 New, 144A New, 301 New, 444 New, 501 New and 701 New by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Notwithstanding immense importance of all these highways particularly NH1A, 1B, 1C and 1D, the United Progress Alliance (UPA) Government remained indifferent while sanctioning funds for the development and maintenance of National Highways in Jammu and Kashmir as it allocated a total of Rs 6.29 crore during the last three years.
Among the 31 States and Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir was the only State, which was treated so shabbily by the UPA Government. This can be gauged from the fact that Himachal Pradesh, where total length of National Highways is 2396.48 kilometers as against 2319 kilometers in Jammu and Kashmir was provided Rs 519 crore.
Similarly, Punjab where total length of National Highways is less than Jammu and Kashmir was provided Rs 537.46 crore and Uttarakhand having National Highways of 2364 kilometers was allocated Rs 491.39 crore during the last three years.
The meager allocation of funds for maintenance has resulted into poor condition of these highways in Jammu and Kashmir thereby causing inconvenience to the people as well as tourists.
The Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who recently met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari, was justified in demanding return of three National Highways to Jammu and Kashmir for maintenance.
He has sought transfer of Batote-Kishtwar road, Kargil-Zanskar and Domail-Katra road for maintenance to J&K PWD as all these roads of vital importance are in bad shape at some places due to lack of proper maintenance.
Thousands of pilgrims visit Katra, the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ji shrine daily, using Domail-Katra road, a major portion of which was in worst condition. Similarly, major portions of Batote-Kishtwar and Kargil-Zanskar roads have almost been turned into fair weather roads as heavy rains either lead to their blockade or massive traffic jams.
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