news details |
|
|
| J&K seeks Rs 10 Cr central assistance; focus on alternate road link | | DODA ROAD SINKING | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 10: With no possibility in sight for immediate restoration of the traditional road-link with Doda and Kishtwar the government is now entirely depending on creation of an alternate link from Bani which may take longer time than expected.
The National Highway 1B that connects Kishtwar and Doda with Batote is in the central sector maintained by the GREF and the state government does not have any direct command on the organization. In this backdrop, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today called up the Union Transport Minister TR Balu inviting his attention towards plight of Doda-Kishtwar regions following snapping of road link.
He also requested the Union Minister for releasing Rs. 10 crore to the Border Roads Organization (BRO), the project executing agency, so that the construction of the new alignment of the NH-1B is completed earnestly.
While talking to the Union Minister over phone from here today, Mr. Abdullah impressed upon the Union Minister the immediate realignment of the NH-1B. The widening of the highway is part of the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan under the Central sector.
The Chief Minister also summoned Chief Engineer, BEACON, Mr. A. K. Bhutani and enquired from him about the latest status of the new alignment of the Batote-Doda road at Assar. Bhutani briefed him about the project.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that the Bani-Bhaderwah road would be made operational within a week or ten days to send supplies to Doda and Kishtwar districts so that people of these districts do not suffer on this account. He said the repair of the road was being carried out on war-footing.
Abdullah had shown great concern about the washing away of the road, resulting into inconvenience to the affected people. After receiving the news about the incident, Mr. Abdullah cancelled his appointments and immediately rushed to have on-the-spot inspection of the site. The Chief Minister made an aerial visit to Assar and ordered trans-shipment of essential supplies and stranded passengers, besides keeping a chopper available round-the-clock for meeting any medical emergency.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand today took a review of the overall scenario that has arisen in Doda and Kishtwar districts due to the sinking of Batote-Kishtwar National Highway at Assar.
Former Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, MLA, Doda, Abdul Majid Wani, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal, District Development Commissioner, Doda, Syed Sharief-ud-Din, District Development Commissioner, Sudarshan Sharma and other senior district officers were present in the meeting held at Doda.
Speaking in the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister assured the people that all efforts will be made and the road link will be restored. He further said that steps are being taken to maintain adequate stocks in the district.
While addressing the meeting, Azad stressed upon the need to explore the possibility of water transport on Baglihar water reservoir.
Various measures like availability of essential commodities in Doda and Kishtwar districts and measures being taken by the administrations to further augment the stocking position and early restoration of the road link were also discussed in the meeting. Besides, possibilities of alternate road also came up for discussion, in case of any emergency.
While giving a brief resume of the measures taken by the administration, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu revealed that the work has started at war-footing for early restoration of Batote-Kishtwar Highway, besides snow clearance work at Bani-Basohli road and repair work at Assar-Tungla road also started for providing road connectivity. Dr. Kotwal said one month sufficient stock of wheat, rice, sugar and medicines was available at both the districts. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
