LG thanks PM, Rural Development Minister
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 26: The Union Ministry of Rural Development today approved Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-Phase-III for 1276 kilometers costing Rs 1357 crore for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Rural Development Giriraj Singh for the approval.
“Extremely grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Shandilya Giriraj Singh (Union Minister for Rural Development) for approval of PMGSY-III for 1276 kilometers costing Rs 1357 crore. It will provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations for sustainable and inclusive growth.
“The approval for PMGSY-III is another milestone in the rural connectivity of Jammu and Kashmir. The modern rural infrastructure, enhanced connectivity will improve rural economy and ease of living,” the Lieutenant Governor tweeted after approval of the project.
Pertinently, under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Jammu and Kashmir is among best performing States/UTs in the country.
With the mission of ensuring safety, connectivity and mobility to every village, 2353 PMGSY projects covering 17,336 km connecting 2071 habitations have already been completed.
In 2021-22, 3284 kilometer PMGSY roads were constructed, besides 7301 kilometers were blacktopped. Further, 125 bridges are to be constructed under PMGSY to provide connectivity to far-flung areas.
Out of Rs 1357.87 crore approved by the Union Ministry for Rural Department for Jammu and Kashmir, the Ministry’s share will be Rs 1220.70 crore while Jammu and Kashmir will have to contribute only Rs 137.17 crore.
A total of 155 roads will be upgraded totaling 1272 kilometers in length. Average cost of kilometer has been estimated at Rs 106.71 lakh.
The Union Ministry for Rural Development has asked Jammu and Kashmir administration to enter into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NRIDA technology provider and SRRDA for the roads sanctioned using new materials/IRC accredited materials as per new technology initiative guidelines,
“No payment shall be allowed unless required MoU is signed and sent to NRIDA,” the order said.
It added that the Union Territory administration should ensure verification of quality control registers and their uploading on OMMAS in terms of instructions issued by NRIDA on January 13, 2022.
“All the works should be tendered and awarded as stipulated in fresh guidelines date 22nd December, 2020 issued by the Ministry. As per the guidelines, the works should commence in 72 days from the date of sanction by the Ministry,” the order said.
It added that Jammu and Kashmir has to comply with PMGSY-III guidelines which stipulates that planting of fruit bearing and other suitable trees on both sides of the roads would mandatorily be taken by the UT Government by using funds under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme and other Central and UT schemes.
“The UT of Jammu and Kashmir must ensure that the payment to Cement Concrete roads is made only after verification of target strength is achieved after 28 days based on core taken from the pavement as per Ministry of Rural Development specifications.
“The UT should also get appropriate number of samples tested for stabilization of based and sub base courses for determining the dose of stabilizer for required strength from STA laboratories/UT Government approved laboratories having such facility,” the order said.
It added that Jammu and Kashmir should ensure that payment for execution of those roads where the stabilized sub bases or bases are provided is made only after verification of target UCS strength of stabilized layer achieved after 7 days based on core taken from the pavement as per Ministry of Rural Development specifications.
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