Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the bad condition of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway linking Kashmir with the rest of the country and said its poor maintenance was “severely impacting” reputation of Jammu and Kashmir as a tourist destination.
In the letter, Azad, who is also former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said last year’s September floods and unprecedented rains had led to heavy damage to the highway.
“…Regrettably due attention to its proper upkeep and maintenance is not being paid which has multiplied the woes and miseries of the people of the State,” he said in his three-page letter.
Border Roads Organisation’s “Project Beacon” of the Defence Ministry is maintaining the National Highway.
Calling for urgent attention, Azad said this is the only route that allows supply to 80 lakh people living in the Valley and Ladakh region besides ensuring supplies to armed forces and paramilitary forces stationed in the forward areas of the Valley and strategically important region of Ladakh which shares border with China and Pakistan.
“Tourism and trade are getting badly affected by the ramshackle and rundown condition of the National Highway,” Azad said.
He said while the “worsening” condition of the National Highway was a matter of grave annoyance to commuters, it was also “severely impacting” the credibility of Jammu and Kashmir as a reputed tourist destination.
“I hope you will lend attention to the matter that it deserves to facilitate smooth and hassle-free journey of the people….I would request your kind indulgence to direct the concerned for taking urgent steps to ensure proper maintenance of the highway,” the Congress leader said.
He said besides this, people of more than three districts living in Chenab valley of Jammu region are also dependent on this Highway for supply of goods.
Azad said the journey on the Highway had turned out to be risky and the number of accidents has soared higher. “Traffic jams have become order of the day and travelling time has increased manifold on the road,” he said in his letter.
“The journey on the National Highway has turned highly risky and the rate of road accidents has soared to unusually higher levels. Traffic jams have become order of the day and travelling time has increased manifold on this road.
“Commuters are facing hardships, never seen before, due to dilapidated condition of the existing Highway, especially while travelling between Udhampur and Qazigund. Despite the best efforts by the State administration to regulate traffic on the highway, the enormity of the challenge is making the matters worse. Supplies and provisions were also getting delayed inordinately,” Azad said.
He said even worse is the condition of National Highway NH1B from Batote to Doda and Kishtwar districts.
“What used to be a fascinating experience once has now become no less than an ordeal. You may also be aware that realizing the inadequacy of the existing National Highway, manifold increase in the vehicular traffic and the difficulties of the people of the State, UPA Government had approved the four-laning of the existing Jammu-Srinagar National Highway NH-1A.
“It is gratifying to note that Jammu- Udhampur stretch is almost complete and is already in use of the commuters. Journey on this portion has become an enjoyable experience,” Azad said.
Similarly, he added, the two very long tunnels at Banihal-Qazigund and Chenani- Nashri are also at advanced stages of construction’ and hopefully will be completed in near future. These tunnels will shorten the- distance significantly as also avoid accident-prone and inhospitable terrain near Patnitop ridge and Banihal pass respectively.
“Although the upgradation of certain parts of Jammu-Srinagar Highway has progressed at a satisfactory pace, however, there are other stretches where the progress has been sluggish due to variety of reasons. Work on the Srinagar- Qazigund stretch, supposedly the easiest part in comparison to the otherwise rugged terrain of Jammu & Kashmir, has been progressing very slowly. Probably the contractor has not exhibited desired keenness and interest to execute the work,” he asserted.
Similarly, the slide-prone and treacherous portion between Batote to Banihal is yet to be taken up due to reasons like inappropriate alignment, inaccurate estimation, non-awarding of contract, etc, he said.
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