Early times report
Jammu, Mar 10: Both the state and the central government have realized the importance of connecting Jammu Kashmir with rest of the country through alternate road links. To achieve the objective a road link via Basholi-Kishtwar is being considered.
According to official sources, the government intends to construct a tunnel at Singhpora which will connect Punjab with Jammu Kashmir via Basholi-Bhaderwa-Kishtwar. The decision has been taken in view of the unpredictability of the existing road link which often gets blocked due to landslides and avalanches.
In addition to alternate roads from Jammu-Srinagar, development of the existing road link into a four-lane motorway is also on the cards. The intended development would ease congestion and reduce the journey time considerably.
After the completion of the Mughal Road that will connect Poonch with Shopian in south Kashmir, the government has plans to undertake construction of another hassle free road link, the sources said.
Government reports clearly reveal that the federal government had made available liberal financial assistance for improving the road connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.
Under Prime Minister's Grameen Sadak Yojna(PGSY) 885 road projects have been cleared and under this scheme over 477 km long road will be constructed in the state at an estimated cost of Rs.2240. During the current year, 496 projects are being executed. Under this scheme a road length of 2240 kms would be constructed. The plan is estimated to cost over Rs.1463 crores. Official sources said that about 91 road projects connecting 370 habitations have been completed. Under the NABARD and the Central Road Fund 127 road programmes have been sanctioned. These projects will cost Rs.507 crores.
In addition, over 100 bridges will be completed by the end of this month, sources said. To ensure free flow of traffic in then city of Jammu and its periphery, a fourth bridge is coming up on Tawi shortly. The experts, however, have recommended construction of more flyovers for putting an end to traffic congestion and jams in the cities of Srinagar and Jammu. Hailing the plan of constructing a flyover between Satwari and the Jewel Chowk, the experts urged the government to consider flyovers between the Jewel chowk and Bhori and between New Plots and Bantalab. They also suggested road widening in and around the city. The Government, they said, had to seek assistance from the centre because once the programme was undertaken; a huge amount of money would be needed for compensating shopkeepers and house owners.