J&K's roads get Rs. 6,842-cr clearance

In its quest to build a world-class road network in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the Central government has cleared funds of Rs. 6,842.32cr, Minister for Public Works and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri said recently, adding that that in a landmark achievement, 542 proposals of Rs. 2842.32-cr have been sanctioned under PMGSY, which would link 595 unconnected habitations by constructing 2,732 km of roads across the state, besides two ring roads costing Rs. 4,000-cr covering 118 kms have been approved for capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu. Dwelling in detail on other developmental programs, he further added that out of 542 works sanctioned, tenders have been invited for 521 projects, while works to the tune of 335 have been allotted so far, besides work on 147 projects is currently in full swing. Efforts are currently on for declaring Mughal Road and Lakhanpur-Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah-Pul Doda roads, as new National Highways and also the cases of Mughal road tunnel, Chattergala tunnel and other tunnels such as Sadhna and Razdan are being pursued on fast track basis.