Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 30: The authorities in district Ganderbal have directed officials to ensure that the road surface up to the Baltal Base Camp is in good shape before the commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra-2023.
This decision was taken during a meeting of various officials from allied departments and companies, presided over by the Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal.
The Border Road Organization (BRO) has been instructed to place a checkpoint at Kullan to ensure that only heavy vehicles with permissible load capacity and permission to ply on the road are allowed. BRO has also been given deadlines to complete the patchwork and resurfacing of the road stretch from Kullan to Gagangeer by April 25, 2023, and June 1, 2023, respectively. In addition, the patchwork from Hung Park to Shutkadi Bridge and the resurfacing of the road stretch from Shutkadi to Bridge-1 will be completed by May 15, 2023.
The APCO Infrastructure has been assigned the task of starting their APCO Plant by May 10, 2023, and completing the road infrastructure stretch on the Approach Road of Z-Morh Tunnel by May 15, 2023. The completion date for Bridge-1 has been set for November 2023, and National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) have been instructed to put in extra efforts to ensure completion within the stipulated time.
The BRO has been directed to complete the patchwork of the road stretch on Bridge-1 up to Sonamarg Market/Truck Terminal by May 15, 2023, while NHIDCL, MEIL, SDA, and BRO have been directed to complete the resurfacing of the road and installation of street lights for the Sonamarg Market. BRO has also been directed to complete the resurfacing of Nilgrath up to Baltal Road Stretch by May 30, 2023.
During the meeting, a joint report of the team of experts formed by APCO Authorities for the Rezan village report was discussed. It was found that necessary safety precautions were not taken by the project authority while executing the work, and it was informed that NHIDCL was in the process of determining compensation for the affected inhabitants of village Rezan.
Furthermore, various proposals under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) were placed for MEIL and APCO authorities to identify and choose for the welfare of the general public. The compensation money for two recent deaths that occurred in the Zojilla Tunnel Project is being processed and will be deposited before the Assistant Labour Commissioner, Ganderbal, for further disbursement.
It was informed that the recommendations of the Committee constituted to investigate the change in the color of water in Nallah Sind at Village Gund were to be implemented by NHIDCL, MEIL and APCO Authorities to avoid any conflict with the inhabitants.
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