Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways NitinGadkari on Thursday said that the Government of India has undertaken 17 major road development projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a written reply in LokSabhaGadkari said that the progressof Qazigund- Banihal tunnel project onNH-44 undertaken by National HighwaysAuthority of India (NHAI) is 75.24% against the fund allocated to Rs 2,648crore for the project and is scheduled to be completed by July, 2020.
He added that the work of preparation of Detailed ProjectReport (DPR) costing Rs 3.23 crore for two lanning of Mughal Road connectingShopian with Baffliaz (in Poonch district)including Mughal Road is in progressand it’s scheduled to be completed by Jan, 2020. This state road is approved as”In-Principle” NH subject to outcome of DPR, he added.
The Union Minister said that the construction of Ring Roadaround Jammu City, length 58.26 kms is in progress and it has been undertakenby National Highways Authority of India ( NHAI).
He said that construction of Jammu Bypass (km. 0.00 to km15.00) on NH-44by NHAI stands completed while as 4 lanning of Jammu– Udhampursection of NH-1A (km 15 to 67) on NH-44, a length of 64.58 kms also standscompleted and project was also undertaken by the NHAI.
He said that four lanning of Udhampur – Ramban road (km 67to 89, 130 to 151) on NH-44 with a length of 40.07 kilometers is in progresswhile as four lanning of Chenani – Nashri section of NH-1A (km 89 to 130)(tunnel project 9 km long tunnel – 2 lane) on NH-44 stands completed and bothprojects were undertaken by NHAI.
Gadkari said that four lanning of Ramban – Banihal road (km151 to 187) on NH-44 is in progress while as four lanning of Srinagar – Banihalsection of NH-1A (km 187 to 189.350 & 220.7 to 286.11) on NH-44 is inprogress and both projects were undertaken by NHAI.
Four lanning of Qazigund – Banihal section of NH-1A (km189.35 to 204.7) (tunnel project 8.45 km & 0.69 km length, 2 lane) on NH-44is in progress, he said adding that four lanning of Lakhanpur to Hiranagar (km16.35 to km 50.00) on NH-44 stands completed by NHAI.
Four lanning of Hiranagar to Vijaypur (km 50.00 to km 80.00)on NH-44, he said stands completed while as four lanning of Vijaypur toKunjwani (km 80 to km 97.20) on NH-44 have been substantially completed byNHAI.
The Union Minister said that four lanning of Jammu – Akhnoorand two lanning with paved shoulders of Akhnoor-Poonch on NH-144A 246Jammu-Akhnoor Section is in progress while as Akhnoor-Poonch section is underDPR stage.
He said that two lanning with paved shoulder of Chenani –Sudhmahadev – Goha on NH-244 with a length of 274 kilometers is in progresswhile as construction of tunnels – Lachulunga and Tanglang pass on NH-3 is inDPR stage and projects have been undertaken by NHIDCL.
Gadkari said that the construction of two lane road Batote –Kishtwar – Sinthapass – Anantnag on NH- 244 with a length of 265 kilometers isin DPR stage and while as two laningwith paved shoulder of Kargil – Zanskar on NH-301 with 234 kilometers is in DPRstage and the projects have been undertaken by NHIDCL.
HIGH-POWERED PANEL CONSTITUTED FOR RESOLUTION OF PENDINGHIGHWAY PROJECTS
Meanhwhile, PTI reported that Gadkari sin another written reply stated that thegovernment has constituted a high-powered committee for resolution of pendinghighway projects.
“The Governmentof India has constituted a high-powered committee to evolve a framework ofguidelines for resolution of stuck projects,” Gadkari informed LokSabha.
He said the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways hadissued guiding principles for resolution of stuck National Highway projectsvide office memorandum in March 2019.
The ministry and its implementing agencies have initiatedaction to take up measures for resolution of stuck projects within theframework of these guiding principles, he said.
According to the policy guidelines, the term “stuckproject” as used, means a project undertaken by the Ministry of RoadTransport and Highways through NHAI, NHIDCL or state PWD where the work hasstopped due to inability of the contractor to continue with the execution ofthe project on account of proceedings initiated against it before the NCLT.
Process for revival of stuck projects has been initiated, hesaid.