If the Union Defence Ministry and Surface Transport Ministry have agreed in principle for transfer of two defence road stretches viz. Jammu-Akhnoor and Katra-Pouni, what is the hurdle in doing so ?
These stretches need to be brought under four-lanning scheme owing to tremendous traffic rush. PWD is the agency that has to do the four-lanning but BRO is reluctant to hand over the roads to them. As such the four-lanning is getting delayed indefinitely.
It seems there is some lack of coordination between the BRO and the PWD on the one hand and the Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Surface Transport on the other. Nobody knows exactly what are the objections of the BRO in not handing over the said roads to the PWD? If there are any technical hitches these should be resolved by the parties concerned. But if somebody has made it a prestige matter the administration should step in and resolve the deadlock. It has to be remembered that the present Government in Delhi is committed to streamlining road connectivity in the country. In particular hilly areas are getting added attention. We are unhappy that while conducive atmosphere is created throughout the country by laying emphasis on connecting entire country with an extensive road and rail network, why should there be too much of delay in BRO handing over the two above mentioned stretches to the PWD? This logjam must come to an end forthwith.