Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, June 4: Even during the age of advanced technology and availability of high-tech machinery, 11 years have proved too small for the R&B department and its JKPCC wing to complete just 18 kms of road while Bhaderwah-Jaie-Gandoh road connectivity has remained a distant dream even after more than two decades.
This road which will connect Bhaderwah directly with Gandoh Sub Division bordering Himachal Pradesh, has remained a dream for the people of this area as it will shorten nearly 40-45 km of distance for the people on the either side. They are using Bhaderwah-Pul Doda- Thathri-Kahra route to reach Gandoh which is about 100 kms in distance. This direct connectivity will save at least one and half hour of the people taking new route if completed in next few years.
While the R&B and JKPCC authorities blamed Forest and Revenue authorities for delay on the project, the Forest authorities claimed that they have failed to pay compensation for the trees fallen enroute. They also said that some dispute between a former legislator and a member of another politically influential family of the area over claim of fallen trees has also created hurdles in the process of Forest clearance. But the real fact is that people of these two Sub-Divisions of Bhaderwah and Kahra and Gandoh are suffering due to long delay in the completion of this road project.
Sources revealed that this 18 kms road project worth Rs 27.70 crore from Gandoh to Rajpura, about 12 kms short of Jaie was sanctioned during 2006 under Central Road Fund (CRF). The work on this project was started in April 2007. First 3 kms road from Gandoh side with one 60 mt span bridge was sanctioned to R&B department while remaining 15 kms ( From Km 4 to Km 18) was allotted to JKPCC. Three years time was given to the agency for the completion of this road project but interestingly even in June 2017, not even 100 mt of this road patch could be blacktopped or fully completed.
It is amazing to ascertain that funds to the tune of about 90 % have been consumed by the JKPCC and R&B but road has almost been abandoned and at present no work is being initiated on this road project, for the reason best known to the authorities connected with the project. Neither the elected representatives of the area, former MLAs/ MLCs, sitting MLA nor those sitting at the top in the bureaucracy or the concerned Minister, are bothered about the matter. If this nearly 60 kms road is made available, about 2.5 lakh population of both Sub Divisions will be benefitted.
Jaie is most picturesque tourist resort of Bhaderwah in Jammu region. The single road connectivity to this place from Bhaderwah side was made available about 25 years ago. But since then no much efforts were made to improve the road and provide connectivity to the area from Gandoh or Kahra side. The former public representatives including Ghulam Nabi Azad also failed to make the dream of the people of this remote area to turn reality.
Superintending Engineer R&B, Doda, Niaz Ahmed Bandey when contacted said that R&B was associated with this road project only from 0 to 3 km from Gandoh side. He said hardly one km road is mettled but not blacktopped. In rest of the portion, after earth work, single mettle work has been done. He said R&B executed works worth Rs 3.38 crore while rest of the works were worth Rs 23.72 crore executed by the JKPCC.
Bandey disclosed that a 60 mt span steel girder bridge has been constructed in first 2 kms of the road length over Gandoh Nallah and it is almost complete. It was constructed by JKPCC. He claimed that Forest clearance was awaited from 14 km to 18 kms for the last many years and the concerned officers are not showing much interest in granting sanction. It is also now cleared. He claimed that till today, out of total project cost amount to the tune of Rs 23.70 crore has been spent and with the delay in the project, cost escalation is yet another factor. Unless the project cost is enhanced, the project is unlikely to be completed.
The SE further disclosed that second phase of the project from 19 to 33 km connecting with Jaie tourist resort has also been sanctioned with the cost of Rs 9.5 crore under CRF. The process of tender has been initiated and R&B authorities have approached Forest department for the clearance. There is thick Deodhar Forest in this belt. A compensation of around Rs 2.25 crore has been worked out according to a preliminary survey. With the completion of this second phase of the road under CRF, a direct connectivity to Bhaderwah via Jaie-Sinoo and Rajpura from Gandoh side will be made available to the people, the SE maintained.
Deputy General Manager, JKPCC Doda, M L Thappa said that Corporation has been accorded the task to construct 15 kms of road. A bridge of 60 mt span was also constructed by JKPCC and it is ready. It was constructed by a local contractor. He admitted that agency had been given the completion target of June 2010, but due to delay in land acquisition and forest clearance, the project could not be completed in time. Now August 2017 has been given the next date of completion but it is unlikely to be completed even in next one year.
When asked is there any cost escalation in the project, DGM said the sanctioned amount has almost been consumed. A few remaining works will be executed with that amount but for black topping about Rs 8 to 10 crore is required. About 25 to 30 % cost escalation in the project is expected due to the delay. He said only long bridge on this road with the cost of Rs 2.90 crore was constructed by Jammu based contractor M/s Satvir Gupta Constructions. Hardly 12 kms patch between Rajpura and Jaie has remained unconnected which will be constructed in second phase. It is expected to be completed in two years period if all goes well, Thappa maintained.
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