Div Com reviews railway, road widening projects

Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sanjeev Verma chairing a meeting at Ramban on Friday.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sanjeev Verma chairing a meeting at Ramban on Friday.

Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, May 17: Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Sanjeev Verma reviewed the ongoing railway and NH44 widening projects besides taking stock of arrangements for ensuing Amarnath Ji Yatra.
Deputy Commissioner, Showkat Aijaz Bhat, SSP Ramban Anita Sharma, SSP, Traffic NHW, JS Johar, ADC, Dr. Basharat Hussain, Chief Engineer, Northern Railway, SDMs, RO, NHAI, Hem Raj, SDMs, CPO, Dr. Kasturi Lal, officers of Railways and NHAI, representatives of construction companies besides officers of other departments attended the meeting.
During the meeting, several issues and bottlenecks like dumping sites, land acquisition, compensation of acquired structures, shifting of electricity towers, cutting of trees coming under alignment of these projects and other legal and technical issues were discussed to ensure early completion of these national projects.
He also discussed the issue of frequent blockage of NH44 due to landslides and long traffic jamming causing much inconvenience to the commuters. He directed the construction companies for proper maintenance of National Highway stretch from Nashri to Banihal to avoid disruption of traffic movement so that transportation as well as tourism activities are not hampered.
He instructed the construction agencies to strictly adhere to timeline and quality specifications in these projects. He directed the district administration to ensure close monitoring, while as executing agencies were asked to achieve the targets within fixed time frame. DC was asked to constitute a committee to examine the damage cases.
Emphasizing importance of highway four-laning and railway projects, the Div Com directed the District Administration and construction companies to coordinate for removing bottlenecks, if any.
The Div Com directed railways authorities to develop a play field in Banihal to promote sports activities in the district. He also directed them to construct shelter sheds besides providing water tank under CSR for the convenience of commuters. He directed the officers of NHAI to prepare a rehabilitation plan for those who have donated lands.
Meanwhile, arrangements being made by the administration for this year’s annual Amarnathji Yatra including establishment of langars and other facilities for the Yatries were also reviewed. Divisional Commissioner directed the Tourism Department to install bio- toilets on identified locations.