‘Expansion of road network, alternate highways will usher JK into new era of development, prosperity’
JAMMU: Minister for Public Works and Parliamentary Affairs Ab. Rehman Veeri today said that the construction of alternate National Highways and expansion of road communication network proposed for the state will usher J&K into new era of development.
The Minister was speaking at a high level review meeting of different wings of Public Works Department here.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Transport (independent) Public Works Department Sunil Kumar Sharma. The meeting was also attended by Commissioner Secretary PWD Rohit Kansal, CE, R&B (Jammu) Alok Mengi, CE PMGSY Jammu, CE Mechnical, JKPCCC MD Daleep Thusoo, Director Planning (PWD) Tariq Ahmad Khan, General Manager JKPCC N. D. Khawaja and SE’s of all three departments.
The Minister said that the Mughal road as an alternate national highway would provide a reliable all weather connectivity to the state.
While thanking the Chief Minster for getting the approval of the work on two ambitious tunnel projects viz. Mughal Road tunnel and Singapora Vailoo tunnel approved, Mr. Veeri said that the initiative will start a new dawn of development in the state.
The Minister impressed upon the officers to take benefit of the early approval of the Budget this year and fix priorities, targets of works in their respective areas.
Meanwhile, CE R&B Jammu informed the meeting that 491 km road has been macadamized under state sector during 2016-17
He also said that under Prime Ministers package, 147 bridges have been constructed.
The meeting also discussed status of various projects taken up under RUSA at GGM Science College, College of Education Jammu, S.P.M.R College Jammu, GCW Gandhi College Nagar, MAM College Jammu.
The Minister also sought status of various works being carried under RAMSA including 100 bedded hostels in different areas of Jammu.
Regarding the progress of work on Jammu-Akhnoor NH 1A, the Minister was informed that the formation of DPR and feasibility Study has been awarded to a private company and is under progress.
Regarding the status of work on Batote-Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag-Khannabal road, the CE informed the meeting that the work on improvement of road by way of clearance of consolidated slips, surface boulders, side drain, culverts including reconstruction of damaged edge walls, R/ walls and laying of WBM and bituminous concrete have already been awarded by NHIDCL and is under progress.
The Minister also asked the officers to expedite the work on Domel-Katra-Reasi-Pouni, New, HN 144.
During the meeting, the Minister sought the status report of construction of alternate road connectivity to Nikki Tawi area via Belicharana, 200 beded Maternity Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Construction of New Medical College at Rajouri, Degree College Khour, Govt. Polytechnic Chanderkote, trade facilitation centre Chakan-Da Bagh Poonch.
Mr Veeri also reviewed the working of PMGSY department Jammu and sought report from concerned Superintending Engineers regarding the progress of work in their areas of jurisdiction.
The Minister was informed that during 2016-17 around 71 schemes were completed in different areas. The minister asked the officers to pace up the process of identifying the uncovered areas to bring these under PMGSY Scheme.
He stressed on the officers that it is their moral and official responsibility to provide connectivity to all the areas lacking road communication.
The MD JKPCC also provided a detailed account of progress of his dept in different sectors.
The meeting was informed that 13 road projects estimated at a cost of Rs. 218.85 crore have been taken up under CRF, PMGSY and NABARD.
Mr. Veeri was also informed that 16 bridges are being constructed by JKPCC under State Sector, CRF, NABARD and SPA in different parts of Jammu.
While reviewing functioning of Mechanical Wing of the department, the Minister informed the officers to maintain synergy with each other in road clearance operations across the state.
The CE Mechanical Department assured the meeting that adequate men and machinery would be employed to carry out road clearance operation.
The Minister also assured strict instructions to SEs for ensuring the restoration of roads after laying of cable in their respective areas.
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