Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR: The State Government, during last year’s budget session, while describing the communication network essential for socio-economic growth announced to develop road network in the State and informed the House that it was pursuing several road, tunnel and bridge construction projects with the Union Ministry. So far majority of the roads are in dilapidated condition and the road, bridge and tunnel projects are yet to be approved.
Minister for Roads and Buildings, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, had told the Assembly that communication network is essential for the rapid socio-economic development of the State and would develop the road network but the major road across the State are in shambles as almost one year has passed.
Except Srinagar and Jammu cities and some main roads, not much has changed since last year and in fact the condition of majority of the roads in rural areas has worsened. The roads leading to Bandipora district in North Kashmir are completely in shambles. Sopore-Bandipora, Gurez-Bandipora and Srinagar-Bandipora road at Saderkote are full of pot holes and so is the Srinagar-Uri road from Chandanwari to Uri.
In Budgam major roads like Beerwah-Magam and Budgam- Beerwa which lead to sub-district Beerwa and Beerwa Magam roads are in complete shambles.
In South Kashmir Awantipora-Dadsar-Tral, Awantipora-Nowdal-Tral, Awantipora-Pulwama, Shopian to Wachi road are in dilapidated conditions and are waiting for repairs and macadamization. Besides this, all the roads in rural areas are dilapidated and full of potholes.
The Minister last year made an announcement that the State Government was vigorously pursuing with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to have Mughal road, Doda-Desa-Kapran-Verinag Road upto Jawahar Tunnel exit and Verinag- Achabal-Mattan- Pahalgam road, declared as National Highways. A year has almost passed and there is no headway and these projects are still lying with MoRTH for approval.
Bukhari had announced that State Government is pursuing the construction of tunnels on various roads to shorten the distance and make them all weather. These tunnel projects include – Peer Ki Gali at Mughal Road, Singhpora Kishtwar to Vailoo Anantnag, Anderbugh Lolab Kupwara to Chechinar Aloosa Bandipora, Doda Dessa Kapran, Bhaderwah- Bani- Basohli, Sudhmahadev to Goha via Marmath. Only one project – Sudhmahadev-Goha at the cost of Rs 549. 29 crore under Prime Minister’s Package for J&K 2015 – has been approved so far.
The Minister had announced that construction of ring roads around, Jammu and Srinagar, was taken up with the National Highway Authority of India to overcome the acute problems of traffic congestion in these cities. The MoRTH has approved construction of semi ring roads around Jammu and Srinagar cities at the cost of Rs 1400 crore and Rs 1860 crore respectively under Prime Minister’s Package for J&K 2015. “The State Government is, however, required to meet 25 percent of cost of land acquisition.” Bukhari had informed the Assembly that Government had proposed to introduce construction of Rigid Pavement (Cement Concrete) roads instead of flexible pavement (Bituminous Blacktop) roads in the low lying areas which remain inundated due to rain and snow. “The pilot project was intended to be undertaken on experimental basis during the ensuing financial year”, he had said.
The rigid pavement was started in Pahalgam constituency of Anantnag district. “The work was executed in 5th and 6th kms of the road leading from Aru Bazaar to Lavender park under Tourist Destination Programme. So far 410 meters were brought under the rigid pavement.”
”In Jammu Division, about 70 meters stretch of road from Railway Station to Trikuta Nagar along Canal, opposite Garden Estates, was constructed as rigid pavement. One more rigid pavement, of 50 meters has been constructed under railway over bridge between Ambedkar Chowk and Narwal in Jammu which used to get water logged.”
“The Government has allotted work for three rigid pavements of 110 meters at NH1A road leading to Greater Kailash, Famwara Chowk Greater Kailash and near PHE water tank road leading to Kalu Chak. However, the work is yet to be taken up.”
Though some roads have been repaired in Jammu city and other areas of Jammu region, majority of roads in rural areas were yet to be constructed or widened.
Bukhari made announcement that Government has sent project proposals of Rs. 661.74 crore for funding for inter-State and intra-state roads under various Centrally Sponsored schemes have been submitted to MoRT. These included roads like Jammu –Pathankote, Mahanpur-Basohli, Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah to Bajootra HP, Bhagwati Nagar-Akhnoor Road, Bridge over Rawi River at village Keerian Kathua.
The Works Ministry says that during the last financial year, 5 projects at a cost of Rs 686.64 Cr were recommended to MoRT for approval/sanction under Inter State Connectivity (ISC). Out of these, only one project – construction of 1100 meter span (Double Lane) pre-stressed RCC Bridge over Ravi River at village Keerain-Gandial in district Kathua – was sanctioned at the cost of Rs 158.84 Crore.
The Minister had told Assembly that State Government was pursuing the matter with Union Government for seeking external financial assistance from Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) under Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan for 20 major projects which includes construction of 06 tunnels and 14 major/district road projects.
Out of these 20 projects, Union Government has recommended 4 projects to DEA for JICA loan assistance and also facilitate its approval which is awaited. “These are – Construction of Tunnel in J&K on Singpora Vailoo road at the cost of Rs 808.30 crore, Widening / Upgradation to ADV road km 9th to km 20th Including Verinag Kapran, Verinag Ujjar & Verinag Feeder Road at the cost of Rs 108.95 crore, construction/ widening/up-gradation of YK Pora Waltengoo Vasaknag Road with Allied Links at the cost Rs 141.97 crore and Improvement/ Upgradation of the road surface Around Fort Wall connecting Various Destinations of Tourist Importance at the cost of Rs 17.45 crore.”
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