Omar Abdullah meets Nitin Gadkari, seeks central aid for road projects in J-K

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today sought the immediate intervention of the Centre to expedite work on the conversion of the four-lane National Highway which connects the Valley with the rest of the country.

Photo: Parda Phash

Jul 09 2014: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today sought the immediate intervention of the Centre to expedite work on the conversion of the four-lane National Highway which connects the Valley with the rest of the country.

Omar raised the issue with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari at a meeting today during which he also took up matters relating to road communication sector in J-K.

The Chief Minister emphasised the need for early completion of the four-lane project and also laid stress on the upgrade and improvement of the existing Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

Omar also spoke of the need to transfer the maintenance of other highways in J-K to the state Public Works Department, said an official release from the state government.

The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of good roads in the state for its overall development and economic welfare.

Omar also urged that the 84-km Mughal Road, which connects Bafliaz town of Poonch district in Jammu region to Shopian district in the Valley, be declared an alternative National Highway while stating that a proposal for the same was already pending with the Centre.

He also raised the issue of construction of tunnels on various routes, including one at 'Peer Ki Gali' on the Mughal Road, a tunnel to connect Singhpora in Kishtwar to Vailoo in Anantnag, another between Lolab and Bandipora and a tunnel connecting Sudh-Mahadev with Marmath in Doda district.

"The proposals for the construction of these tunnels have already been referred to the Union government," Omar said.

The Chief Minister sought Centre's assistance for construction of five flyovers by National Highways Authority of India at various traffic junctions in the Valley and also called for aid for the building of two ring roads in J-K under the National Highway Development Project.

Issues relating to Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana were also discussed at the meeting along with those pertaining to the sanctioning of special road projects for the state under the 'Militancy Hit Project' scheme, the release added.

Courtesy: The Financial Express