Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, May 4: Lt Gen R M Mittal, Director General, Border Roads Organization (BRO), called on Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, here this morning and discussed various issues pertaining to the maintenance of National Highways and other important roads looked after by BRO.
Last week, Sayeed had met the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in which, among other things, he had highlighted the need for urgent repairs of NH I-A.
During his meeting with DG BRO, Mufti highlighted the issue relating to the maintenance of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which is presently in a critical condition. He stressed upon the need to prioritize its upkeep by putting a proper maintenance management plan in place, keeping in view that it is the only all-weather surface link between J&K and the rest of the country.
The Chief Minister desired BRO to carry out urgent repairs on NH 1-A to make it roadworthy, in view of the coming tourist season.
Mufti said that since four-lanning of the National Highway is going to take some time, BRO should maintain the Highway till its widening from Jammu to Srinagar is completed.
The Chief Minister said due to dilapidated condition of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, it frequently breaks down even during minor spells of rains, leaving people stranded. He specifically referred to the stretch from Ramban to Banihal which leads to closure for several days together, affecting movement of people and essential supplies to the Kashmir valley.
Appreciating the role of BRO in maintaining the roads in the State in extremely hostile weather conditions, Mufti Sayeed made specific mention of repair of Thanamandi-Buffliaz stretch, which connects Poonch district of Jammu with Shopian in Kashmir valley through the Mughal Road. He said the improvement of this stretch will provide a viable alternate road link between Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
Mufti also raised the issue of prioritizing regular maintenance of Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag, Bandipore-Gurez, Sopore Bypass, Jammu-Poonch, Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah, Doda-Bhaderwah, Reasi-Mahore, Rajouri-Kandi-Budhal, Pouni-Kalakote-Rajouri, Surankote-Buffliaz, Loran-Basam Gali-Tangmarg, Dhar-Mahanpur and Old Samba-Kathua roads, which fall within the domain of BRO.
While assuring the Chief Minister about the proper maintenance of National Highways and other important roads under their control, DG BRO said he will personally visit the State this month to prioritize the issues flagged in the meeting. He said manpower for maintenance of roads has been supplemented by 40% in J&K so that frequent closure at treacherous spots along the National Highway is avoided in future.
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B B Vyas, Commissioner / Secretary, Public Works, Rohit Kansal, DDG BRO, R K Sharma and Chief Engineers PWD of Kashmir and Jammu divisions attended the meeting.
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