Srinagar, Jan 28 (KNS): Government of India has kept its nod of declaring Mughal Road a ‘National Highway’ in limbo due to the snail’s pace execution of the work on the project by the state government, hence putting extra burden on the only national highway that connects landlocked valley to the outer world.
On 13-06-2016, a detailed communication from the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Ministry Jammu and Kashmir was sent to the Ministry of Transport and Highways, GOI, asking it to declare Mughal Road a national highway. However, due to the poor execution of the work on the project and various bottlenecks that are yet to be removed by the JK dispensation, the centre has kept its approval in limbo. “More than eight months have passed since the plea for declaring Mughal Road as a national highway was sent to Ministry of Transport and Highways, GOI. However, there hasn’t been any development over the issue witnessed so far. The nod has been kept in abeyance,” an official in R&B told KNS.
He added that the state government is mulling to once again take up the issue with the concerned ministry and latest status report about the plea will be sought from it.
Meanwhile, it was informed further that there hasn’t been a satisfactory execution of work going on at the Mughal Road due to which the central ministry has kept its nod awaited.
Documents reveal that the state government has earmarked Rs 5.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel00 Cr for the maintenance of the Mughal Road under the Capex Budget 2016-17 and the requisite funds stand already released. The JK government in its communication sent to GOI has stated that the road is being maintained by way of snow clearance, removal of slips/slides, clearance of drains, construction of damaged R/walls/B/walls , reconstructions of cross drainage works, fixing of crash barriers and repair to road surface in patches.
The official documents reveal further that the state government besides pursuing the matter of declaring Mughal Road as National Highway is also discussing the construction of a tunnel from Chattapani to Zaznar. The tunnel if approved would make the Highway as an All Weather road. Reports inform that the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister raised the issue with the Highway Ministry GOI on April 12, 2016. Pertinently, Mughal Road is considered as the best option and an alternative road to connect Jammu through Bafliaz Poonch.
The road is 84km long, and situated in the Jammu and Kashmir state of India. It passes over Pir Panjal Mountain range, at altitude of 11,500 ft (3505 m) that is higher than the Banihal pass.
The project started in October 2005 at an estimated cost of Rs 255 crores was ought to be completed till March 2007. However, its repeated delay in construction was the biggest impediment in its success story. (KNS)