Srinagar, May 11: The Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, on Wednesday drove up to Gumri, 114 kms from here, to inspect the progress of upgradation and widening of Srinagar-Leh highway project being executed by Border Roads Organization (BRO) under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme, an official spokesman said. 
 He said the Chief Minister received a brief about the present status of the construction of road and details of proposed 13 kilometres tunnel on Zojila and 2 kilometre tunnel at Z-Morh during his inspection.
 The Chief Minister, according to the spokesman, inspected works between 30 kilometres to 52 kilometre on the highway. He took first hand appraisal of the status of the road and pace on upgradation and improvement works.
 “The Chief Minister discussed the importance of 450-kilometre Srinagar-Leh highway with Central Road Authorities laying stress on stepping up the progress of work,” the spokesman said. 
 “The highway is of great economic significance for the people of Leh and Kargil in particular and for the state in general,” the spokesman quoted Omar as having said.
 “The Chief Minister met various deputations enroute and gave patient hearing to them. The deputations mainly presented requests regarding upgradation of basic amenities in the sectors of road communication, water supply, power, health and education,” he added.
 The Chief Minister said that his Government was committed to the equitable development of all regions and sub-regions adding that far-flung, remote and inaccessible areas have been flagged as the priority concern in the development process.
 “The Government is paying special attention to upgrade road communication in the state and link districts and provinces through alternate routes and tunnels. The upgradation of Srinagar-Leh Highway and the 4-lanning of Srinagar-Lakhanpur Highway are prestigious projects of greater socio-economic importance for the state.  These projects will give a fillip to the economic activities and trade and commerce,” he said adding that the linking of remote and far-flung areas with main highways would improve the economic condition of the people living in these areas.
 The Chief Minister underlined the importance of timely completion of the projects and asked the executing agencies of centrally sponsored road projects to put in vigorous efforts in realizing the targets well in time to ensure benefits to the people.
 The Chief Minister later flew from Gumri to Leh.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 12 May 2011 00:00:00 IST