Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 17: Project Beacon has completed its 60 years of development and construction of vital projects fulfilling needs of people as well as strategic requirements of defense forces.
Officials of the project said that Beacon was raised on 18th May 1960 with its HQ at Srinagar (J&K) for “putting life into the lifelines of J&K” by braving remote and inhospitable terrain, adverse climatic conditions.
Officials said the Project has constructed over 4,000 Km of roads and airfields in J&K which connect various areas within JK as well as with other states including Himachal via Galhar-Sansari road, Punjab via Bani-Bharderwah road and to Ladakh via Zojila Pass, thus providing trans-region connectivity.
In addition to maintaining the upkeep of the Jawahar tunnel, the important link between Jammu and Srinagar, the Project Beacon has also played a pivotal role in the development of Hydel Power Projects, namely Kishenganga in Gureiz Valley, SHEP in Ramban district and Kirthaiproject in the Kishtwar district of J&K.
“Despite unprecedented snowfall last winter, all roads were kept open &even areas of Tutmarigali, Machal, and Keran along LoC were kept accessible throughout the winters for the first time. Also, Road Galhar-Sansari linking Kishtwar region of J&K with Pangi Valley of Himachal Pradesh was kept open all through the winters for the first time,” officials said.
While fulfilling development needs of JK, Project Beacon provides job opportunities to approximately 7000 locals by engaging them in these construction projects.
Officials said that the Beacon is presently developing and maintaining a road network of approximately 2285 Kms.
“The Project reopened the important and treacherous Zojila and Razdan Passes in a record time much earlier as compared to previous years.
Even during the COVID lockdown and paucity of labor, several restorations works including connectivity on the road Ramban-Gul, Nashri Bypass, and road Galhar-Sansari was restored,” they said.
They added that Jawahar Tunnel was functional throughout, snow clearance works on Road Banihal Old Alignment, (the alternate route for Jawahar Tunnel) was undertaken during the lockdown and the road was opened for traffic ahead of schedule,” they said. Officials said that with the induction of modern plant and equipment, the Project is implementing more infrastructure and social-economic development works in Jammu & Kashmir.
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