Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13: Chairman Legislative Council Amrit Malhotra today allowed half an hour discussion on the issue of delay on the widening of Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri National Highway to the 4-lane specification.
The Chairman accepted the plea of several members of the Upper House, who took serious note of the delay being caused in widening and construction of Srinagar-Baramulla highway and the casual reply given by the Minister of State for Technical Education and RDD Vikar Rasool. The issue was raised by Congress member Ghulam Nabi Monga, who pointed out that the project had been delayed by 9-10 years and how much more time it will take.
The Minister while replying on behalf of Minister Incharge R&B said, “the road widening ( 4-laning) project from Parimpora to onward has been taken up by Project Beacon and the expected date of completion is 2017. So, the project is not delayed and if it is not completed by 2017, you can ask this question there after.” The reply irked the Congress members and few others in the House.
Senior member Nayeem Akhtar pointed out that Minister was replying so casually and it seems he has no knowledge about the issue. This highway is most important and life line of the people of that area. It should have been completed in three years. The work on Jammu-Udhampur section of highway is progressing so fast and it seems to be nearing completion but unfortunately on this highway long traffic jams are seen and people get trapped for hours together. Mr Monga also raised supplementaries and pressed for reason behind delay.
In response to yet another question the Minister said BEACON has proposal to construct flyover on Baramulla road near HMT crossing Shelteng. An approval in this regard from Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is awaited. Not satisfied with the reply of Minister and hearing plea from several members regarding importance of the question and casual reply by Government, the Chairman allowed 30 minute discussion on it.
Follow our WhatsApp channel