J&K road projects under PMDP reviewed

During the meeting, it was observed that substantial progress has been achieved in  the widening of National Highway-44, including in the completion of Chenani Nashri and Qazigund-Banihal sections on the highway.

It was observed that the remaining works on Udhampur-Ramban section, Ramban Banihal section and Srinagar-Banihal section are also going on in full swing and are expected to be completed in the next year.

It was informed that works on Baramulla-Gulmarg road are consistent and are likely to be completed by April 2022.

Similarly, works on Jammu semi-ring road and Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch road have  been accelerated and are expected to be completed in March 2022, and March  2024, respectively.

It was informed that work on Srinagar-Shopian-Qazigund road will also commence soon with the construction of 3 by-pass roads for Pulwama, Kulgam, and Shopian  towns.

While stating that the national highway is relatively in better shape due to improved maintenance, Mehta emphasised that the Ramban-Banihal segment is the most critical section on the National Highway and requires attention for early execution of works related to tunnels and re-alignment of landslide prone stretches.

He also pitched for the development of parking bays and toilet facilities on the  national highway to improve the travel experience of the commuters.

It is expected that these facilities will come up by November end 2021.

The Union Secretary, MoRTH asked the project executing agencies to lay special  emphasis on quality of works and conduct quality inspections for completed works.