‘Explore more Gandola projects under PPP mode’
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 20: Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta today directed the concerned to intensify their checking at Toll Plazas and not allow any misfit or overloaded vehicles to ply over the main national highway as they breakdown on the way causing massive inconvenience to others.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, PWD; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Deputy Commissioner Jammu/ Udhampur/ Ramban; Chief Engineer, R&B, Kashmir/Jammu besides other concerned officers.
Dr Mehta took note of the reports of traffic jams on the highway for last few days and enquired about its status from the concerned Deputy Commissioners. He enjoined upon them to ensure that the carriageway of the Highway is not allowed to be used for parking or truck holding area anywhere.
He asked for allowing only those vehicles which are carrying stipulated loads on the highway so that there are fewer disruptions on highway due to vehicular breakdown or very slow speeds. He also called for reports against each such breakdown incident for having clarity about the actual reasons behind them. He akso asked for devising SOPs for handling these breakdown events on the highway.
The Chief Secretary asked for measures to improve width of road surface near Nachlana and Dalwas areas. He also stressed on carrying out the protection works like installation of crash barriers and parapets on the critical stretches of the highway. He directed the highway authorities to periodically clear the debris getting accumulated on the sides of the road to increase its carriageway.
The Chief Secretary stated that measures to improve traffic scenario should include use of Mughal Road to lighten the volume of traffic on NH-44. It was also given out that atleast 4 truck holding areas on the national highway are being designated besides hastening the completion of bridges, tunnels and viaducts for making travel on this road comfortable and pleasant in the months ahead.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary chaired the 33rd meeting of Board of Directors (BoD) of the J&K Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) in which important decisions regarding expansion of activities of the corporation were taken by the members of the Board.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Finance; Secretary, Tourism; Director Tourism, Kashmir; DG, Budget; DG, Expenditure Division-I; MD, JKCCC besides other concerned officers.
During the BoD meeting, Dr Mehta impressed upon the officers to take up the work of maintenance and upgradation of Gulmarg Gandola an earliest as it is a major asset of the corporation and caters to thousands of tourists each month. He asked for carrying out thorough inspections of all of its installations by a technical team so as to ensure safety and comfort of the tourists.
The Chief Secretary enjoined upon the officers of the Corporation to explore the possibility of establishing many such cable car projects across the tourist places of the UT. He advised them to look at the tourist destinations not covered under other schemes such as Bharat Mala.
Dr Mehta observed that many of the tourist locations like Sarthal, Mantalai, Sanasar, Doodhpathri, Baderwah and Baisaran (Pahalgam) have tremendous potential of attracting tourists by establishment of cable car projects at these locations. He said that a mechanism under Public-Private partnership should be contemplated over for executing these projects in a time-bound manner.
Regarding the Peerkhoo-Mubarak Mandi vertical lift, the Chief Secretary enjoined upon the officers to take up the project forthwith. He said that the project is long awaited and should be developed as an added attraction at Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex. The package includes connecting it with the tourist places of Bahu Fort and Mahamaya Temple complex.
During the meeting, the Board deliberated upon various agenda items that includes establishment of around six drag lifts at locations of Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, Gulmarg, Kangdoori, Padri (Baderwah) and Sanasar for promoting skiing at these locations. Further the corporation is going to construct ski shops at all the aforesaid destinations for the sport to take off at these locations.
The Board was apprised that the corporation is installing vertical lift between the Peerkho Station of Jammu Ropeway Project and Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex at an estimated cost of about Rs 27 Cr.
The Project had been bifurcated into two stages with one being vertical rise of 38 meters and 30 meters, and two horizontal foot bridges of 34 meters and 30 meters span. It was also added that the Project will have three stations, 02 viewing decks, with parking facility. The vertical lift will have carrying capacity of 13 passengers at a time.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
