NHIDCL gives April 2025 completion target
Compensation worth Rs 1300 cr being disbursed
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, May 12: A third bridge is coming up shortly over river Chenab, just closer to the existing concrete bridge at Bypass Akhnoor on Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway.
Official sources told the ‘Excelsior’ that the work on this strategically important bridge is being launched shortly as the work contract of this bridge-cum-road project worth Rs 102 crores has been allotted to a Chandigarh based private construction company.
A total 3.75 kms road project from Khati Chowk, about 300 meters before main concrete bridge over river Chenab up to Hanuman Chowk, along with this bridge has been allotted to M/s V K Gupta Constructions, a Chandigarh based firm.
This will be four-lane highway, as a part of Rs 5100 crores Jammu-Poonch four-lane highway project under Prime Ministers’ Package in the Jammu and Kashmir. Just 24 months time has been given to the construction company by the NHIDCL for completion of the road and bridge over river Chenab, towards downstream of the existing concrete bridge on Bypass road.
General Manager, Projects, NHIDCL, Col (Retd) P S Sangwan when contacted said that a DPR worth Rs 117 crores was prepared by the NHIDCL for this prestigious project including third bridge over river Chenab at Akhnoor and about 3.75 kms 4-lane road up to Hanuman Chowk from Khati Chowk. A double lane bridge with foot paths on both sides with the approximate cost of Rs 45 crores will be constructed by the company. It will be 350 mt span bridge with 100 mt approach roads and 16 mts width, he added.
Replying to a question, the GM Projects said that about 30 ft road is being acquired. The notices to the affected parties/ people including Ministry of Defence (Concerned Army Units) has been served to vacate land. The process of disbursement of land/ structures compensation will be initiated through District Magistrate shortly as it got sanctioned from the Union Government. The road on both sides up to Hanuman Chowk will be widened, he added.
Col Sangwan further disclosed that M/s V K Gupta Constructions is a good company with the expertise in the field. A portion of Army area on the downstream of the existing new bridge and a portion of private farmhouse of a politician is coming along the alignment of the approach roads of this bridge. They have been communicated to clear the area, the GM said.
When asked about the component of compensation to the Army, Government and private parties for land and structures, the GM Projects said right from Jammu up to Hanuman Chowk, compensation to the tune of Rs 1300 crores has been worked out and the same is being disbursed to the parties whose land has been acquired. Majority of the compensation has already been paid to the affected people. The structures of the Army which will be demolished, have to be restored simultaneously, he added.
The General Manager Projects disclosed that the Construction Company has already moved its machinery to the site and is in the process of raising temporary sheds for manpower and allied equipment. The work is being formally launched within a week or fortnight as after allotment of work to the Company two years time has been given for the completion of bridge and road. “As per the track record of this company, we are hopeful that it would complete the task within given time frame,” Col Sangwan said.
Referring to the bitter experience of delay in land acquisition process on Jammu-Akhnoor 4-laning road project, Col Sangwan said it took long time for clearance from Ministry of Defence for the land under acquisition for this road at Domana and Rakh Muthi. Covid-19 also affected the progress on Jammu-Akhnoor road project. “Taking lesson from this, we first took clearance from the MoD and it is hoped that about 90% land for the road widening purpose coming along the alignment will be handed over to the contractor shortly,” Col Sangwan maintained.
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