New Delhi, Feb 5: Jammu and Kashmir Minister for R&B, G M Saroori, today urged  the Centre to provide liberal financial support for widening road connectivity in remote areas of the state. Speaking at the 32nd Transport Development Council meeting here, he said the vast tourism potential of the state remained unexplored due to lack of roads.
Saroori said hilly areas having tremendous tourism potential could be exploited fully by construction of roads and tunnels. Areas such as Sinthan (Kapran), Razdan Pass (Gurez), Chattragala (Bani), Sadhna Pass (Tangdhar) and Sudhmahadev need tunnels for their connectivity.
The Minister demanded release of Rs 30 crore for the highway from Srinagar to Sonamarg and Rs.80 crore for Sinthan-Kokernag road under Central Road Fund. He urged for speedy approval to the DPRs of several important road projects, awaiting consideration in the Ministry of Surface Transport, under CRF.
Terming land acquisition for construction of road network  a major hurdle, Saroori said that adequate funds for land acquisition were needed to be released so that various road projects are completed in minimum possible time . He demanded release of  Rs 704 crore required for land acquisition in widening of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Saroori urged upon the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to speed up work on the Pathankot-Jammu Express Highway, and demanded for its extension upto the Kashmir Valley in the 2nd phase.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 5 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 5 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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