‘Toll Plazas are run under national policy’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 29: A high-level team of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) reached Jammu today on a four-day visit of the Union Territory and undertook a tour of Tarnah bridge in Kathua district which was damaged in flash floods leading to disruption of traffic on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway and causing inconvenience to the people.
The team led by a senior officer visited Tarnah bridge for on spot inspection of the damage caused to it.
To questions by the media persons, the NHAI officer didn’t respond on whether the responsibility for washing away of a part of Tarnah bridge in Kathua district will be fixed.
On Sarore Toll Plaza in Samba district, the NHAI officer said Toll Plazas are under a national policy and refused to comment on whether toll will be exempted.
There have been protests by various political parties and organization for suspension of Sarore Toll Plaza till Tarnah bridge is made fully functional.
On restoration of traffic in Tarnah, the NHAI officers said they are trying to look into technological solutions and that’s why their team has come here.
“We are looking at solutions to see how quickly can we do, we are already trying a lot and we will try more,” the NHAI officer said, adding the problem (of damages caused to bridge) has not only cropped up here but at many other places.
“But definitely, we have to do it quickly,” he said.
Asserting that the Central Government as well as National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are concerned over damage caused to the bridge, the senior officer said this has to be done at the earlier.
Earlier, the NHAI team reached here today on a four-day visit of Jammu and Kashmir. After visiting Tarnah bridge, the NHAI team met senior officers of the civil administration to discuss the issues of Jammu-Pathankot National Highway including Tarnah bridge and Sarore Toll Plaza.
The team is also scheduled to meet Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta and Principal Secretary PW (R&B) Shailendra Kumar.
The NHAI officers will also undertake review of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
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