J&K CM for maximum engagement of locals in Central projects

Srinagar, August 18 (Scoop News) – J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today impressed upon the Central Departments executing various development projects in the State to ensure engagement of optimum number of skilled and unskilled locals in the works.

            “We have good number of trained and capable youth here to undertake technical and non-technical assignments efficiently”, he added and said that State’s prime concern is to provide job opportunities to the young persons and Central Departments have a stupendous role to play in this direction.

            Taking appraisal of the progress on Rs. 10, 000 crore project of four-lanning of Srinagar-Jammu-Lakhanpur National Highway at a high level meeting here this morning, the Chief Minister said that he will take up the issue of engaging maximum number of locals in the execution of prestigious road project with the Union Minister of Surface Transport. “The good offices of Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Ghulam Nabi Azad would also be utilized in this regard.

            “My Government is keen to expand job opportunities for youth and in this regard the maximum absorption in the Central sector would be persuaded at all levels”, he said. He said that there is no dearth in the availability of required manpower in the state. He asked the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), the agency implementing 400 kms Srinagar-Lakhkanpur, four lanning of National Highway project, to ensure maximum engagement of locals in the implementation of the project.

            The Chief Minister laid stress on launch of works on the project from Srinagar and early completion of the stretch from Lakhanpur to Jammu. He said the NH-1A project forming the part of North-South Corridor NHDP Phase-II has a great significance for the economy of Jammu and Kashmir State. “Its importance is also of high value for making the travel on National Highway more comfortable and safe”, he added.

            He constituted a high level committee to ensure the disbursement of payment to the owners of land within six months’ period so that the land is timely acquired for the construction of road and bridges speedily.

            Omar also approved Rs. 62.07 crore four lane flyover at Sanatnagar juncture, Rs. 31.65 crore four lane flyover at Bemina crossing and Rs. 3.60 crore overhead pedestrian bridge on National Highway Bypass near JVMC, Bemina.

            In a power point presentation, made by the Project Director, NHAI, it was stated that work is in progress on the construction of 114 km involving Rs. 592 crores in sectors of Lakhanpur to Jammu including 15 kms of Jammu Bypass and 17.80 km of Srinagar Bypass. He said the balance work between Jammu to Srinagar is proposed in six Bot (Annuity) packages.

            The major structures include two long tunnels of 9.2 km and 8.5 km stretches, 12 short tunnels of 6.2 km length, 34 major bridges and 24 viaducts. He said work on 33.5 km Lakhanpur-Hiranagar, 30 km Hiranagar-Vijaypur, 17.2 km Vijaypur-Kunjwani, 15 km Jammu Bypass and 17.8 km Srinagar Bypass is on progress besides construction of four bridges and one flyover on Srinagar Bypass.

            The meeting was informed that the Srinagar-Jammu section of the project has been bifurcated into six sub projects. These include Rs. 1100 crore, 67.76 km long Srinagar-Banihal sub project likely to be completed within 36 months. The 15.25 km Qazigund-Banihal sub project involving construction of two tunnels of 8.45 km and 0.69 km is likely to cost Rs.1987 crore. The completion of this sub project will be in 60 months. The third sub project between Ramsu-Ramban involving Rs. 986 crore constitutes 36 km road length. It is likely to be completed in 48 months. The 43 km long fourth sub project of Ramban-Nashri and Chenani-Udhampur will cost Rs. 971 crore and is expected to be completed in 36 months. The 12 km Chenani Nashri stretch involving construction of main tunnel and escape tunnel of 9 km each is the fifth sub project and involves Rs. 2519 crore. This sub project is likely to be completed in 60 months. The sixth sub project of Udhampur-Jammu constitutes 65 km long road stretch involving an expenditure of Rs. 1939 crore. The target of its completion has been fixed at 36 months.

            It was stated that NHAI has deposited Rs. 426.48 crore with the state government for disbursement to the owners of land required to be acquired for the construction of road.

            The meeting was informed that the 17.80 km, four lanning of National Highway from Parimpora to Athwajan and construction of four bridges on this Bypass is under various stages of execution. The entire project is likely to be completed by the end of next year. Out of the total estimated cost of Rs. 212 crore, more than 176 crore have been expended on it so far registering 82.50 percent physical achievement by July end this year.         

            Speaking in the meeting, the Minister for R&B, G.M. Saroori explained various aspects to be taken care of for speedy completion of the National Highway project. He said that the 17.80 km four lanning of National Highway from Athwajan to Parimpora is being executed by NHAI through State Public Works department (PWD). He said steps have been initiated to complete the project by the end of next year. He said four Bridges namely Lasjan Bridge, Padshahi Bagh Bridge, Channapora Bridge and Tengpora Bridge are under various stages of completion. The Padshahi Bagh Bridge has been completed while as Lasjan Bridge is likely to be completed by this December and Channapora and Tengpora Bridges by October next year.

            The Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla said that the High Level Committee constituted by the Chief Minister will help to resolve all matters pertaining to the disbursement of payment to the land owners and timely acquisition of land. He said this would also help to pace up the work on the project. He said that the acquisition of land will take place in 156 villages in the districts of Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama, Anantnag, Jammu, Ramban and Udhampur. Out of over Rs. 400 crore received from NHAI, more than Rs. 207 crore has been disbursed to the land owners while as additional amount of Rs. 356 crore is also required from the NHAI to make full payment to the land owners.

            The Minister of State for R&B, Javed Ahmad Dar proposed that the meeting of the concerned departments should take place on monthly basis to monitor the progress of work on the prestigious National Highway project. The Chief Minister agreed to the proposal.

            The meeting was also attended by Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Commissioner Secretary R&B, Mehboob Iqbal, Secretary Revenue, Aijaz Iqbal, Chief Engineer R&B Kashmir and other senior officers.

www.scoopnews.in