Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Mar 27: Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari and Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh met here today to discuss the status of the two newly approved National Highways, namely the 170 km Basohli-Bhaderwah-Doda Highway through Chhattergala tunnel and Thathri-Kahaljugssar-Kilothran-Mankan-Chochool to Himachal Pradesh Highway via tunnel respectively, linking the erstwhile district Doda and decided to insist upon the Central as well as the State Government authorities to expedite the work on these two important projects.
MLA Bhaderwah, Dilip Singh Parihar was also present during the meeting.
Pertinent to mention that the Basohli-Bhaderwah-Doda Highway was approved by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (RTH) last year and includes landmark Chattergalla tunnel which is expected to cost over Rs. 3,500 crore. The 6.2 km long Chattergalla tunnel will save the travel distance from Doda to Basohli and Lakhanpur by over 26 kms and also reduce the travel time by over two hours. Not only this, this Highway, through the Chattergalla tunnel, will provide all-weather road connectivity as well as an alternative road transport option.
The second National Highway linking Thatri-Kahaljugssar-Kilotran Makan-Chochool to Himachal Pradesh via tunnel was approved on the eve of Holi festival this year. This project will be 100% funded by the Centre and provide an easy and convenient direct connectivity between district Doda and Himachal Pradesh.
Nitin Gadkari assured Dr Jitendra Singh of full assistance and cooperation in ensuring timely completion of these two projects, which will be unique not only for the State of Jammu & Kashmir but for the entire country. He said, most of the other projects for Jammu & Kashmir, including the landmark “Zoji La Pass” project have been cleared and the work will start soon.
Dr Jitendra Singh, while thanking Nitin Gadkari for his magnanimous support to all the road and bridge projects in Jammu & Kashmir, said that the two National Highways linking district Doda may take quite a few years to complete, but after completion, these will prove to be game-changers from the point of view of revenue generation, trade promotion and job generation. He said, for himself personally, this will be a cherished memory for all times to come that the approval and initiation for these two path-breaking projects was accomplished during his Parliamentary term as Member of Lok Sabha from this area.
The Katra-Amritsar-Delhi Express Road Corridor, which is going to be the longest Express Corridor in India, also came up for discussion and it was informed that the survey for this road corridor has already been initiated.
Dr Jitendra Singh also referred to Keedhiyan Gandhiyal Inter-State bridge in district Kathua, Atal Setu bridge in Basohli and Chenani-Nashri tunnel in district Udhampur, which are the first-of-their-kind monumental works accomplished in this constituency in the last four years, with the support of Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, through the personal indulgence of Union MoRTH Minister Nitin Gadkari.
While most of the Central Road Fund (CRF) and PMGSY roads have been cleared for the constituency, during the meeting today, a written requisition was submitted for Central Funding worth Rs. 81 crore, mostly for roads in the erstwhile district of Doda.
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