KISHTWAR: Minister of State for Transport and Public Works, Sunil Kumar Sharma today said the road connectivity is key to the socio-economic development of people and Government was paying focused attention to strengthen the road network across the State.
He said the Batote-Doda-Kishtwar road is a very important highway which caters to the huge flow of traffic throughout the year and during the rainy and winter season, this highway faces threat of landslide, snow avalanches thus becomes the cause of many fatal accidents. The road also frequently remains closed for vehicular traffic. Owing to these difficulties, the State Government had approached the Central Government for immediate up-gradation of this important highway.
The Minister said that the Government of India has sanctioned Rs 20 Crore for renovation and widening of important Hasti-Sarthal Devi Ji Road under CRF, which was a long pending demand of the people. With the upgradation of this important road, thousands of devotees visiting the famous Sarthal Devi shrine from various parts of the country will get a substantial relief, besides people of dozens of villages located in the periphery, he added.
Another important Bhandar Koot-Ikhala road which connects a number of localities has been sanctioned with a central funding of Rs 12 Crore under Ist phase. This was also a long pending demand of the area and people will get a sigh of relief on its completion, said the Minister.
The Minister said that upgradation of Batote Kishtwar road is in full swing at an estimated cost of Rs 90 core and the authorities have been directed to expedite the execution within a stipulated time frame so that the people do not suffer any more.
The Minister also expressed profound grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in an unfortunate landslide at Drabshalla. He said the district administration has been directed to provide every possible help to the next of the kin of deceased.
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