JK CM inspects Srinagar-Leh National Highway status

Srinagar/Gumri, May 11 (Scoop News) –    Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today drove from Srinagar to Gumri to inspect the progress of upgradation and widening of Srinagar-Leh National Highway project being executed by BECONS under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme from Srinagar to Gumri and by VIJAYA from Gumri to Leh.

            Omar Abdullah received brief about the present status of the construction of road and details of proposed 13 kilometres long tunnel on Zojila and 2 kilometre tunnel at Z-Morh during his inspection.

            The Chief Minister inspected works between 30 kilometres to 52 kilometre on the National Highway and drove up to Gumri 114 kilometres from Srinagar crossing through the Zojila Pass. He took first hand appraisal of the status of the road and pace on upgradation and improvement works.

            The Chief Minister discussed the importance of 450 kilometre Srinagar-Leh National Highway with Central Road Authorities laying stress on stepping up the progress of work. He said this National Highway is of great economic significance for the people of Leh and Kargil in particular and for the State in general.

            The Chief Minister met various deputations enroute and gave patient hearing to them. The deputations mainly presented the requests regarding upgradation of basic amenities in the sectors of road communication, water supply, power, health, education, etc.

            The Chief Minister said that his Government is committed to the equitable development of all regions and sub-regions adding that far-flung, remote and inaccessible areas have been flagged as the priority concern in the development process.

            Omar Abdullah said that Government is paying special attention to upgrade road communication in the State and link districts and provinces through alternate routes and tunnels. He said the upgradation of Srinagar-Leh National Highway and the 4-lanning of Lakhanpur-Srinagar National Highwayare prestigious projects of greater socio-economic importance for the State.

            “These would not only ensure smooth and safe ply of transport but give considerable fillip to the economic activities and trade and commerce”, he said adding that the linking of remote and far-flung areas with main highways will improve the economic condition of the people living in these areas.

            The Chief Minister said that State Government has attached priority to the road communication sector and various schemes for the construction and upgradation of roads and bridges are presently under implementation in the State. He said construction of roads under PMGSY, PMRP and other centrally sponsored schemes are aimed at all round improvement in the road communication sector in the State.

            The Chief Minister underlining the importance of timely completion of the projects asked the executing agencies of centrally sponsored road projects to put in vigorous efforts in realizing the targets well in time to ensure benefits to the people.

            The Chief Engineer, BEACONS in a presentation explained the current status of upgradation of 114 kilometers of Srinagar-Leh National Highway from Srinagar to Gumri. He also gave details of the measures in pipeline to speed up the work. It was informed that the 114 kilometer stretch from Srinagar to Gumri will be completed by 2013 end.

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