Centre allots Rs 960 crore for better road network in J&K
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday earmarked Rs 960 crore under Central Road Funds to pace up the network of roads and bridges in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Centre has earmarked Rs 960 Cr under Central Road Funds (CRF) which will bring about the much needed change in the connectivity scenario of the state in the shortest possible time,” Gadkari said.
Announcing a slew of transport connectivity initiatives in the state, the Union Minister for Roads, Transport, Highways and Shipping stated that the NDA government is hell-bent upon carrying forward the legacy of Ex Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to lay massive roads and bridge network across the country to expedite all round and equitable development.
The 1,210 m span bridge under Inter-State Connectivity (ISC) of CRF scheme on its completion will provide shortest connectivity to the villages of the state situated on the other side of Ravi River by reducing the travel distance by 45 kms, he said.
The project with 7,490 m double lane approach roads will be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 158.84 Cr in three years time.
Gadkari maintained that Jammu and Kashmir will be provided liberal funding and in contrast to its usual allocation of Rs 150 crore under CRF, the Union Government has approved a whopping Rs 960 crore out of which Rs 400 Cr is allocated each for Kashmir and Jammu provinces, while Rs 160 crore has been earmarked for Leh Ladakh.
Expressing gratitude to the Central government for the financial support to Jammu and Kashmir, the state government batted strongly for increase in funding for all road projects in view of the poor road connectivity in the state.
“The way you (Nitin Gadkari) have given liberal funding to Central Road Fund (CRF), we request for increase in the funding to rest of road project schemes as we have poor road connectivity in the state”, state Minister for Roads and Buildings, Syed Altaf Bukhari said.
Union Minister of state in PMO, Jitender Singh stated that Bio Tech Park in Ghati, Arogya Gram Yojna in Basohli, Nagri?Palli road, Juthana Bridge, amenities worth Rs 34 lakh for railway station at Kathua and sanctioning of one regional FM Channel are few other prime projects which will help foster the development scenario of the Kathua district.
PTI
