Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 30: Union Minister for Road and Surface Transport Nitin Gadkari had approved new alignment of National Highway-IB on recommendations of Governor NN Vohra.
In a communiqué dated October 15, 2014, Gadkari has informed Vohra that the recommendations made by him for changing alignment of the National Highway have been approved.
The new alignment of the National Highway IB (old) will now be along Chenani-Sudh Mahadev-Goha-Khelani-Kishtwar-Sinthan Pass-Anantnag.
“This important alternate road will connect vast areas of erstwhile district Doda with the National Highway IA,’’ official sources said.
They added that keeping in view the strategic importance, both militarily and otherwise, of Batote-Doda road (NH-244), the Government had in a letter dated June 3, 2014, addressed to Gadkari, highlighted vital requirement of linking vast area and pointed out that existing road is affected by cracks and sinking phenomenon, making it vulnerable to road accidents.
Gadkari has informed the Government about acceptance of new alignment by his Ministry.
R&B Minister Abdul Mujeed Wani had also been taking up the new alignment forcefully with the Government of India ever since he became the Works Minister in January last year.
Mr Wani had also written letters to the Union Surface Transport Minister repeatedly seeking connecting new areas in the National Highway IB. He had sought construction of two important tunnels to connect Sudh Mahadev with Marmat and Dessa with Kapran.
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