In a statement issued here, Aijaz said the upgradation of the road project to four-lane would go a long way in giving further impetus to the overall economic development of the region, besides harnessing its tourism potential and giving infrastructural boost to the region.

 

"The four lanning of of all national highway in the country was proposed by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee led government in 1998. However it has taken more than 24 years for the Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri highway to be sanctioned. Wiith the approval of the project, a long-pending demand of the residents of North Kashmir especially in border area has been fulfilled. The four-laning of the stretch would give a fillip to regions economic and social development. The present stretch was narrow, and the condition of the road restricted travel speed. The four lanning of the highway will make travel hassle free. 

 

Raja Aijaz also urged the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways to also consider four lanning of Sangrama-Kupwara-Tanghdar Highway and Srinagar-Bandipora-Gurez highway as is strongly desired by the people in the frontier districts. He said that four lanning of these highway has strategic importance and is critical for the movement of troops and supplies to the frontier district.

 

"Greater connectivity is now more important than ever. Connectivity plays a great role in eliminating poverty and creating economic opportunities. I urge the Union Ministry for Road Transport & Highways to consider sanctioning four lanning of this part of the National Highway", he said.

 

He also urged the authorities to encourage BEACON to take up the work on a priority basis and complete its execution within a set timeframe.

 

"While sanctioning of the project is a good development, the authorities should monitor the project and complete it within a realistic timeframe. We have the example of four lanning of Srinagar to Narbal road, merely 8 km stretch, which took about 10 years to complete. In this day and age, projects must be completed in a short period of time. We would urge the authorities to encourage the execution agency to complete this project on priority basis", he added.(KNS)