For quite some time, importance and urgency of upgrading road connectivity in the State has been occupying centre stage of mega development schemes in the country. Importance of upgrading of roads in the State and more particularly the border road connectivity emerged with the rise of militancy in the State and the hostile posturing of both Pakistan and China on our borders. China in particular has adopted menacing posture by making sudden and unprovoked forays into our part of the territory where borders of two countries meet. Besides that, China has spread out a network of road and rail connection all along the border with our territory in Ladakh and the North Eastern State of Arunachal. Despite India making clear to China that her territorial claims were preposterous, Chinese shadow continue to loom large on our border.
Entire J&K is a hilly state girded by high Himalayan ranges. At many places through which the NH-A1 passes from Udhampur to Banihal, the mountains are of sand and mud quickly yielding to the impact of rain and snow allowing huge landslides to slip downwards and obstruct the vehicular traffic along the strategic National Highway connecting Kashmir with the rest of the world. The plan of developing road connectivity in this mountainous region has two components. One is the 4-laning of the National Highway fro Jammu to Srinagar and the second is of reducing time and distance for travel from Srinagar to Leh. This part of the National Highway encounters serious obstruction at two places namely the morh or the turn between Gagangir and Sonamarg, and the over 14 kilometer tunnel under Zoji La. The Z morh also needs a tunnel that will be over 6 kilometers in length.
The need for these tunnels in Kashmir rises from the fact that for more than six months in a year, the road to Ladakh and Kargil remains closed owing to heavy snow fall. This is a serious setback to the speedy development of Ladakh region and also for the security of the long border with China. Thus our policy planners have taken a holistic view of the entire project of J&K road connectivity. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has recently issued a document that deals comprehensively with the mega project. The Ministry has sanctioned a hefty sum of 20,000 crore rupees for the entire project right from 4-laning of the NH-1A. It has made distribution of funds on different works like 4-laning, 2-laning, tunneling, widening, culverts, links etc. Never before has such a comprehensive document been produced that covers all the technicalities of the project. Obviously, the project will take several years to complete. The work is already going on at various strips and with the sanction of funds we hope that the engineering staff will speed up the execution of the work. It has to be understood that the main reason for this entire hilly region right up to Ladakh remaining backward is the absence of round the year traffic and vehicular connectivity. Once when this mega project is completed, it will change the history and geography of entire Jammu and Kashmir. The economy of the region will meet with revolution that will have deep impact on life. Road projects will generate employment for thousands of workers, small contractors, skilled and unskilled labourers etc. and the landholders whose land will be acquired will get good compensation to prompt them to seek new avenues of business enterprises.
Road connectivity will also generate the new culture of interaction among the people of this vast region, which, hitherto, have remained isolated in their mountain fastnesses. Student community will find exposure by availing of opportunities in different parts of the State and outside the State as well. It will also facilitate transportation of material badly needed for developmental purposes in the far flung areas of Ladakh right up to the border with China. In all probability, new habitats will spring up in Ladakh which will enhance tourist industry in the region.
One very significant benefit of this new concept of connectivity will be that we shall be able to secure our vulnerable borders more efficiently. We are planning to increase military presence in the entire north and north-east belt to thwart any ill intentions of our adversaries. The Defence Ministry has the project of adding three more Corps to our present strength of land forces and two of the proposed Corps will be stationed in the border areas with China and Pakistan. Now this phenomenal upgrading of security measures presupposes good road and rail connectivity to maintain regular and uninterrupted supply of goods and war material to our border forces. That has necessitated spending huge funds for the road connectivity. In particular almost half of the allocated funds will be spent on converting Srinagar – Leh road into motorable road round the year. We congratulate the Central Government for taking this historic decision. This is a boon to our state and we are hopeful with the culmination of this project J&K will find a new life of prosperity and development.
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