Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 8: Governor N.N.Vohra held an extensive meeting at Jammu Airport today to review various issues which have resulted in delay in the implementation of the project for expansion of Jammu Airport.
Prior to the meeting the Governor undertook an aerial reccee of the Jammu Airport area along with Chief Secretary, Financial Commissioner (Civil Aviation) and Divisional Commissioner.
The Governor was informed that the proposed expansion of Jammu Airport envisages extending the existing run way length of 6700 feet to 8000 feet towards the River Tawi end so that all types of aircraft could operate, with full capacity, from Jammu Airport. It was noted that over the past nearly 4 years a number of meetings have been held to resolve various bottlenecks but the work to extend the runway has not commenced so far. It was also informed that the existing Airport has been handling passengers three times its envisaged capacity of 3 lakh passengers a year.
Observing that continuing delay in the completion of run way extension may result in avoidable accidents, the Governor gave specific directions to the concerned heads of agencies. Among these it was decided that the existing 33 KV line will be shifted within the next 60 days by the Power Development Department; work to shift 22 towers of 132 KV line, by constructing 28 towers on the new alignment, will be completed by 31st March, 2017; Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, will ensure shifting of 61 affected families, whose land has already been acquired, within 60 days; regarding shifting of other utilities, including water supply pipe lines and development of plots for affected families, the Irrigation & Flood Control Department will complete work relating to the construction of 3 alternate channels by 31st December, 2016; the construction of an alternate road, including 3 bridges, which is already 75% complete, will be fully completed by PWD (R&B) by 30th June, 2016; Army will hand over the remainder land to the State Government/Airport Authority of India without any further delay whatsoever.
The Governor directed that the land under Belicharana Animal Husbandry Form will be vacated by the Animal Husbandry Department by relocating the existing stock of 36 cattle and their offices to other existing Farms by 15th April, 2016 and 30th April, 2016, respectively; Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, will identify alternate land for locating the existing Poultry Hatchery within 30 days; the required funds will be provided by Finance Commissioner Planning for construction of a modern Hatchery, at its new location, after the Director, Animal Husbandry, furnishes a DPR by 15th April, 2016; the site for the relocation of the Hatchery will be decided by 15th April, 2016 and this facility will be located at its new site by 31st July 2016.
The Governor directed the Director, Airport Authority of India, to take immediate action to invite tenders to commence construction of work for the run way extension without linking this to the availability of land required for establishing the new Terminal Complex.
The Governor directed Chief Engineer ERA to ensure that the work for training of Landoichoi Nallah is completed by 30th June, 2016 and, meanwhile, the Chief Secretary will take a further meeting before 31st March 2016 to finalize the strengthening of the existing run way, to raise the specification from PCN 35 to PCN 63.
The Governor directed the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to closely monitor the time lines fixed by him as regards the various mile stones so that there is no further slippage in the Airport expansion work. A fortnightly progress report shall be furnished to Raj Bhawan by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, beginning 1st April, 2016.
The meeting was attended by B.R. Sharma, Chief Secretary, B.B. Vyas, Financial Commissioner, Planning & Development, P.K. Tripathi, Principal Secretary to Governor, Maj Gen. Sanjeev Narain, GOC 26 Div., Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Air Commodore Ashutosh Lal, AOC; Rohit Kansal, Commissioner/ Secretary, PWD(R&B); S. Katoch, Commissioner Civil Aviation; Simrandeep Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu; D.K.Goutam, Director Airport, Jammu; Vivekanand Choudhary, General Manager, Airport Authority of India; Jammu concerned Chief Engineers and Heads of Departments and other senior officers.
Meanwhile, Governor inspected the progress of the upcoming Bikram Chowk Fly Over and widening of road from Bikram Chowk to the Presentation Convent. He was briefed by Mr Vinod Sharma, Chief Engineer ERA, who informed that 60 % of the work has already been done and that this Project will be completed by 31st December 2016.
This involves construction of a four lane flyover from Bikram Chowk to Government Women College, Gandhi Nagar; widening of the existing 6 lane road to 8 lanes from Bikram Chowk to Presentation Convent School; construction of 2 meter wide drains and duct cum footpath on both sides of the proposed road; two subways for pedestrian crossings, one near the Amar Singh Club and another near the overhead foot bridge close to the Women College, Gandhi Nagar. This 1300 m span Fly Over is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 71.85 crore.
The Governor directed Mr. B.B Vyas to ensure that there is no further delay and that this project is fully completed by 31st December 2016, as assured by the Chief Engineer, and close attention should also be given for ensuring the quality of construction.
The Governor was accompanied by Mr. B.R. Sharma, Chief Secretary; Mr. B.B. Vyas, Financial Commissioner, Planning and Development Department; Mr. P.K Tripathi, Principal Secretary to Governor; Mr. Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner Jammu and Mr. Danish Rana, IGP Jammu.
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