NHIDCL issues RFP for Jammu to Akhnoor 4-lanning project

TNN Bureau. Updated: 3/22/2018 10:27:08 AM Front Page

DEEPAK KHAJURIA

JAMMU : The much awaited four-lanning project of 30.7 kilometers long Jammu-Akhnoor Highway is going to start soon as National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has issued Request for Proposal (RFP).

The official sources informed that NHIDCL, the main agency for the project of Jammu-Akhnoor four lanning, has issued tenders for Consultancy Services for Authority’s Engineer for Supervision of up-gradation to 4-lane with Paved Shoulder of Jammu-Akhnoor road section.

“The last date of bidding is April 16, 2018,” they informed.

The tenders for the consultancy have been issued for the National Highway-144 A from Canal Head in Jammu City to Ganesh Vihar in Muthi 5.2 Km length and then from Ganesh Vihar to Hanuman Chowk in Akhnoor (30.097 kms) in Jammu and Kashmir to be executed on Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) basis.

Sources informed that the project, having missed the previous deadlines, will now see the light of the day very soon as ‘the process of its initiation is already on’.

Earlier on January 23, this year, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh had chaired a meeting to review status of Jammu-Akhnoor four laning road project along with all the concerned department’s officials and the main execution agency NHIDCL.

He had even directed the concerned departents to adhere to the timelines fixed for project execution and hence completion.

It may be mentioned here that this long-pending project assumes great significance as it is pivotal for the streamlining of traffic system in winter capital city. With four-lanning in sight, the overall transport system of Jammu region would improve greatly as it would also be cutting the travel time to mountainous bordering districts of Rajouri and Poonch, besides helping Defence Forces’ movement.

The official sources added that the project was delayed due to the work regarding land clearances and removal of encroachments. Now, the work of cutting of trees on one side of the road is almost completed and the concerned departments have also started removing encroachments and notices have been served to those who have encroached the land adjoining the highway.

Two departments, PHE and PDD are yet to submit pending estimates for shifting of their respective utilities so as to pave the way for start of work.


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