Road communication projects to get fresh impetus: Naeem Akhtar

JAMMU, Feb 18: Stressing upon officials to meet deadlines and show quick results on ground, Minister for Public Works (PWD) Naeem Akhtar today said road revamp projects would gain momentum across Jammu and Kashmir in coming days.
The Minister while speaking during a maiden review meeting of the Department here this morning said the coalition Government is committed to the equitable development of all Jammu and Kashmir. He said providing connectivity, construction of quality and safe roads, bridges and tunnels for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth is the top priority for the Government and the works would be carried out strict deadlines and with proper follow-up from the Department.
“You (officials) must gear up for providing quick positive results on ground,” he said. “We should develop a foolproof mechanism for completing the works in time-bound manner,” he added.
The Minister directed officials to make the process of execution of works hassle-free, saying that planning, construction, up-gradation and maintenance of roads, bridges and buildings must be the concern for all the officials of the Department. “Providing connectivity to unconnected habitations has to be our first objective,” he said.
Akhtar said in order gain movement in the ongoing developmental era, the culmination of prestigious projects would help the Government to provide good governance to the people of the State. “PWD needs a professional touch and the Government will do everything to revamp this vital department,” he said.
“We will have to follow the procedural limitations and our core aim should be to develop transparent working culture in the department,” he added.
The Minister asked the officials to review the long pending construction and developmental projects and adhere to the set deadlines for their completion.
The meeting was informed that Central Road Fund (CRF) - a Central sector scheme, is primarily focused for development of State Roads & Bridges including projects of Inter State Connectivity and economic importance. The funding under CRF is made by Government of India out of the accruals on account of cess collected on sale of petrol and diesel. Officials informed the meeting that during the 2015-16, 25 schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 785.56 crore have been sanctioned by GoI. “Inter State Connectivity is an important sub component of CRF funding. Construction of 1210 mtr span double lane RCC bridge over Ravi River at village Keerian–Gandial (Kathua) has been sanctioned by GOI and taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 158.84 Crore under the scheme,” they said. They said that one major road project viz; Improvement / upgradation of Bhaderwah Chamba road (Km 8th to Km 50th) stands already sanctioned at Rs 73.33 Crore. Till date GOI has released Rs 70.32 Cr and the road project is being completed shortly.
Divulging details about the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the officials said that the scheme was launched in December 2000 as a fully funded CSS to provide all weather road connectivity in rural areas of the country. “The programme envisages connecting all eligible unconnected habitations with a population of 500 persons and above in plain area and 250 persons and above in hilly areas/states,” they said, adding “J&K State is in the hilly category as such all the habitations having 250 plus population qualify for the connectivity.”
The Minister said that infrastructure deficit has been persistent in the State because of its topography. He said that PWD could be a vital department in bridging the gap and help the State to emerge on the infrastructure front.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Public Works (R&B) Department, Rohit Kansal, Managing Director, JKPCC, Daleep Thussu, Development Commissioner, Works, Bimal Tikoo, Chief Engineer, R&B, Jammu, Alok Mengi, CE MED, Jammu, Yograj Abrol, Chief Engineer, Mughal Road Project, Sudhir Shah, Chief Engineer SKUAST-J, T R Bhagat, CE SPD, Amraish Raina, CE ERA, Ravinder Kumar, SE PMGSY, Jammu, Sita Ram Dogra, Tariq Ahmad, Director Planning (PWD) among other senior officials of the PWD and its allied wings.