Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Oct 04 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory government has stressed upon the executing agencies to speed up the progress of different highways taken up under Prime Minister Development Program (PMDP), and complete all these road projects in the stipulated time frame.
An official told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS), that the government has stressed upon the executing agencies to complete all the road projects providing enhanced connectivity to different Union territory regions in a fixed timeframe.
"The government has observed that these highways are directly linked with the economic upliftment of people as the trade and commerce would also see growth by enhanced movement of people and the tourism sector is going to be the biggest gainer by their completion. The government has said that both the executing agencies and different government departments should work in coordination with each other and hold regular deliberations for resolving issues without wasting time,” the official, quoting the government, said.
He said that the government has directed the agencies to own these significant national projects and show eagerness in seeing them completed well on time.
It is to be mentioned here that the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has taken the detailed review of progress made so far in constructing different National Highways.
The LG was informed about the nature of issues confronted in implementation of these projects.
The LG has assured the executing agencies of unhindered support from his government.
However the LG has asked the officials to accelerate pace of work on the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) projects and give special attention to strengthening road connectivity besides adhering to the committed timelines.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review the PMDP projects, the LG has pushed for quick resolution of issues, if any, to speed up the progress of mega infrastructure projects in the Union Territory.
While taking a project-wise thorough assessment, the LG sought the present status of the projects from the concerned Administrative Secretaries, Chief Engineers and other senior officers of the executing agencies, who in turn briefed the chair about the progress achieved till date and the future course of action.
“We need to speed up the projects for the overall development of UT. There is no constraint of funds & resources and the government is committed to bridge the gap between rural and urban J&K. Complete projects on Mission Mode, especially those which are under execution for a long time while maintaining the quality of work,” Sinha, as per the officials, directed the officers.
Officials said that in the near future srinagar to jammu distance will be covered in three hours, Katra to Delhi in six and Delhi to Srinagar in eight hours.
The work on Udhampur-Ramban-Banihal roadway is in full swing to provide all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar.
Officials said that the Centre was working on three corridors at a cost of ?35,000 crore. The first corridor from Jammu to Udhampur-Ramban-Banihal and further to Srinagar, includes the section from Srinagar to Banihal.
The roadways are likely to reduce travel time between Srinagar and Jammu from 9 or 10 hours to 4 or 5 hours.
“A carriage-way of 40 km-four-lane road between Ramban and Banihal will be completed by June 2024, which will provide relief to the commuters of Srinagar,” officials said.
“Once all the tunnels are completed, the travel time between Srinagar and the rest of the country will be reduced. This way, J&K will get connected with the rest of the country," they added.
Sources said that regarding the Ring Road Srinagar, authorities will soon complete the work on the 20 kms stretch under phase-I.(KNS)