Ring Roads for Jammu Srinagar

Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today gave nod to the construction of Srinagar and Jammu Ring Roads to decongest traffic and provide alternate communication for commuters taking care up to the year 2042.

Approving the prestigious and most required two road projects involving an expenditure of abut Rs. 3000 crores at a meeting of high level officers of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Jammu and Kashmir State R&B Department here, the Chief Minister directed the NHAI, executing agency for the projects, to formulate the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and put up the proposals to the R&B Department for finalization.

The proposed Ring Road project for Srinagar will start at Galander and meet the National Highway at Narbal Junction in its Phase-I. The road will be 4-lane with 6-lane future projection. Under the Phase-II of the project, a two-way road will start at Narbal and meet the National Highway in Ganderbal.

The project is likely to cost Rs. 1195 crores in Phase-I and Rs. 448 crores in the Phase-II. The road length in the Phase-I will be 34.72 kilometers and in the Phase-II, 27.2 kilometers. There will be a Toll Plaza at Narbal Junction. In the proposed 4-lane road project from Galander to Narbal there will be 155 culverts, two road-over bridges, two flyovers, five major junctions, 17 minor junctions and one Toll Plaza. The two-lane road from Narbal to Ganderbal will have 135 culverts, 5 major junctions and 9 minor junctions.

Omar said that the projects should keep room for widening from 4-lanes to 6-lanes and from 2-lanes to 4-lanes to cater to futuristic needs.

The Jammu 4-lane Ring Road involving an expenditure of Rs 1355 crores will have one Toll Plaza in each of the homogenous sections. It will start near Vijaypur (Raipur) and meet the National Highway at Akhnoor where from it will go up to Nagrota Bye-Pass. The road project will be about 60 kilometers in length. It will have 4 major bridges in Package-I and 4 similar bridges in package-II while the number of minor bridges in Package-I will be 5 and 4 in Package-II. The number of culverts in Package-I will be 215 and in Package-II 102. There will be two flyovers in each package while as two overhead bridges will be constructed in the Package-II.

Under the Package-I the road length from Raipur to Akhnoor will be 43 kilometers and in Package-II it will be 16.9 kilometers.

The Chief Minister said that creation of better communication facility in the cities, towns and rural areas has been focused in the development policy by his Government and all avenues are being explored to upgrade road communication facilities for better traffic management and commuting facilities to the people besides generating economic activities.

Omar said that up to the mark Ring Roads for the two cities of Srinagar and Jammu are need of the hour and to cater to the futuristic requirements of the two capitals growing on faster pace.

The Project Director NHAI explained the salient features of the proposed road projects and highlighted the main features of the projects.

Gupta for early completion of Chountra Mata road

Provincial president of J&K National Conference Rattan Lal Gupta has stressed for early completion of road from Thial to Chountra Mata and bringing this religious place on the pilgrim-tourist map.

During a public meeting at Thial in Majalta area today, Mr Gupta listened to the problems of the local people and assured to take up these issues with the concerned authorities. He stressed for the early completion and upgradation of Thial- Chountra Mata road as also completion of road from Ramnagar to Chountra Mata.

The local people projected the demands like opening of J&K Bank branch at Thial, opening of Degree College at Majalta and bringing the Chountra Mata spot on tourist map. The NC leader supported the demands and assured to strongly take up the same with the concerned authorities.

He claimed that Government headed by Omar Abdullah was committed for over all development of the State. He alleged some elements were trying to create obstacles in the process of development but the people have supported a lot to the regime in thwarting the nefarious designs of such elements. He alleged that some elements in the opposition are also trying to spoil the peaceful atmosphere in the State. The opposition is confused and frustrated after witnessing such a massive development, he maintained.

IGNOU organises induction prog

Govt committed to gradual withdrawal of AFSPA

Srinagar Leh NH to be ready for vehicular traffic from Apr 25

Minister for Transport & CA&PD, Qamar Ali Akhoon on Saturday said that Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway would be ready for vehicular traffic from April 25, 2012.

The Minister disclosed this while reviving the measures taken by BEACON authority in connection with lifting of snow as well as removing snow avalanches and other hurdles at Captain Marh.

He asked the Beacon authorities to accelerate the restoration work on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway to ensure that the vital road would be thrown open for the vehicles at the earliest. The lone link between Leh and rest of the country was closed in December last year due to heavy snowfall at Zojilla pass and adjacent areas.

The Minister stressed upon the Beacon to press more men and machinery into service for removing all the bottlenecks on the road. He also asked the administration and security agencies to ensure the safe passage of the people who are travelling on foot including vegetables and medicines carrying ponies.

Earlier, the Engineer of the Beacon, A.P. Singh informed the Minister that presently 6 bulldozers and near about 30 labourers have been pressed into service for removing the snow slides and other hurdles on the road.

Meanwhile, Mr. Akhoon asked the regulating agencies to repeat the normal schedule for the movement of up and down convoy of Army vehicles.

He further said that the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways has already approved the construction of 13 kilometres long Zojilla Tunnel to provide all season link to the twin districts of Leh and Kargil, adding that work on this project will be started this year.

The Minister said that with the construction of Zojilla tunnel, a long pending demand of the people of Kargil and Leh would be fulfilled.

Kashmiri Play Premnath vs Premnath Staged

Curfew continues in Rajouri town

2 Day Employment fair from March 14

Work on Kalibari Kathua Halti Road

Minister of State for Planning, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma today informed the Legislative Assembly that the contract for widening and strengthening of Kalibari-Kathua-Halti road has been approved under ADB funded multi-sector project for infrastructure rehabilitation.

Replying to the Calling Attention Notice of Charanjit Singh, the Minister said that contract was awarded to Khajuria Construction, Sham Lal Gupta, Peerbaba Associate (JV) on April 9, 2008 and work was started on May 7, 2008.

"The work had to be completed within a period of 24 months but due to hindrances in land acquisition, shifting of utilities, forest clearance, cutting of trees and partly due to poor performance of the contractor, it got delayed", he said, adding "the work is likely to be completed in the month of June this year".

Against the revised cost of Rs 31.24 crore, an expenditure of Rs 19.91 crore has been incurred till ending February, 2012, the Minister added.

Commercial banks observe total strike

Media Protest Continues

Highway through for one way

Srinagar Leh Gurez road reopen

With the improvement in weather after three days, Srinagar-Leh highway and Bandipora-Gurez road was re-opened for traffic after snow fall blocked them early this week.

The Sun came out in Kashmir valley after three days bringing some respite to the people from continuous chill and icy weather conditions. However, in the afternoon chilly conditions returned to the Valley.

Both the day and night temperatures in the summer capital of the State saw some improvement. This gave some relief to the people as the entire Kashmir valley has been reeling under intense cold wave conditions since November 8.

After improvement in weather, the authorities re-opened the Srinagar-Leh highway and Bandipora-Gurez road for vehicular traffic today. Both these routes had to be closed for the traffic on the evening of November 8 due to the snowfall and slippery conditions at some of the places.

The Zojila area on the Srinagar-Leh highway had witnessed heavy snowfall and, as a result, the highway connecting Kashmir with Ladakh division had to be closed. The Bandipora-Gurez road was also closed for vehicular traffic as some of the areas witnessed heavy snowfall and the road became slippery.

An official of the Meteorological department said that the weather conditions were normal in Kashmir valley on Friday. He said that no report of fresh rain or snowfall has come from any place of the Valley today adding that higher reaches of the Valley also witnessed normal weather conditions.

"In Srinagar the day temperature was recorded as 14.2 degrees Celsius while as the minimum temperature was 7.5 degrees Celsius. Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 30.0 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature 18.0 degrees Celsius," said the MeT official.

He said that weather is expected to remain dry in Kashmir valley over the next 24 hours adding that isolated places may receive light rains or snowfall.

At the same time, the civil authorities have asked the Air Force officials to make necessary arrangements to ferry the civilians stranded at Srinagar and Jammu due to the closure of Srinagar-Leh highway. They have been asked to make arrangements for future as well so that people who get stranded at Srinagar and Jammu due to flight cancellations to Kargil are ferried as the winter season had already set in.

"Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon today directed all the stakeholders to take necessary steps so that passengers of areas like Kargil, Zanskar, Leh and Gurez that remain cut-off due to heavy snowfall; do not face any difficulty, especially in the event of flight cancellations due to bad weather. The Kargil Courier service would operate between Srinagar-Kargil on every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and between Kargil-Jammu on every Tuesday," said Aamir Ali, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) with Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.

Aamir said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed with Ministry of Defence under which AN-32 Kargil Courier service would be operated between Srinagar-Kargil and Kargil-Jammu. He said under the MoU MI-17 Air Force flights between Bandipora-Gurez and Kargil-Zanskar would be operated.

"State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) has been directed to make adequate arrangements for transportation of passengers from Kargil House Bemina to Srinagar airport and back. Director, Airports Authority of India, Srinagar has been directed to make necessary arrangements at Srinagar airport," said Aamir.

He said instructions have been given to Deputy Commissioners concerned to deploy Liaison Officers for operationalization of the air service between Kargil-Zanskar and Bandipora-Gurez. He said tickets would be issued on first come first serve basis and priority shall be given to ladies, old persons, infants and patients.

Aamir has been nominated as the overall nodal officer and he has been authorized to liaise and coordinate with State Civil Aviation Department and IAF authorities, on behalf of Divisional Administration Kashmir, for day to day matters related to AN-32 Kargil Courier service and MI-17 flights.

UNI adds from Shimla:

High reaches of Himachal Pradesh experienced a heavy snowfall snapping terrestrial link with Leh in Jammu and Kashmir and Pangi in Chamba district of the State during past 24 hours.

Official spokesman of Lahaul-Spiti district administration Sher Singh said that since last night Manali-Leh highway was blocked for vehicular traffic as Baralacha Passes had heavy spell of snowfall.

However 13050 ft high, Rohtang pass was still open for traffic recorded about 15 cm snowfall. Lady of Keylong, Seven sister's hill and Petsio in district reported fresh spell of snowfall.

Road link of Pangi subdivision in Chamba district also snapped with rest of nation as Sachpass received recorded about 3 ft thick snowfall, while life is also out of gear in Bharmour, Churaha and Chamba sub-division.

Snowfall also hampered search operation launched by Indian Air Force (IAF) to find wreckage and black box of MIG 29 crashed on Oct 18 in the Chokhang hills of Thirot village in Lahaul Spiti district at altitude of 15000 to 20000ft.

Tisa in Chamba district registered 6 mm rainfall, Keylong and tourist resort Manali 1 mm each, Saloni and Manali -1 each rainfall.

Minimum temperature improved in the State, as Bhuntar in Kullu, Dharamshalla in Kangra, Shimla and Sundernagar in Mandi recorded 13 degree Celsius each, Kalpa in Kinnuar 7.5 degrees, Una 15 degrees, Mandi 14.7 degrees, Nahan in Sirmour 16 degrees, Keylong 5.6 degrees, Palampur in Kangra 15.5 degrees and Solan 10 degrees, respectively.

The MeT Office forecast mainly dry weather in the State during next 24 hours.

Mughal Road

Mughal Road completion likely in March 2013

The multi-crore Mughal Road project, which had already received two extensions is now expected to be completed in March 2013, as the work on various bridges being constructed on difficult terrains is yet to be completed.The 84 kms long Mughal Road, connecting Kashmir valley with Jammu province of which 40 km falls inside valley and 44 km falls under wildlife sanctuary in Jammu province was proposed to be completed in March 2009, but due to difficult topographic terrains and un-favourable weather conditions, the project could not be completed on time and it was now expected that entire project would be completed within two years.

A senior official working on the road project told the Kashmir Times that more than Rs 253.26 crores have been spent on the construction of the road project so far and efforts are being made to construct a parallel road line to Srinagar-Jammu national high way which usually remains blocked most of the time during winters.

MoS Roads and Building Javid Ahmad Dar told reporters during his inspection of the project that the state government decided to re-construct the traditional road with the twin objectives of including the Pir Panjal range in the tourist map and utilize the road as parallel road to 300 kms long Srinagar Jammu highway, which is often closed due to avalanches and landslides causing inconvenience to people.

The minister defended the delay in the completion of the road project saying that un favourable weather and some legal obligations are largely responsible for delay in completion of road project. However, he expressed his hope that the entire project would be completed till March 2013. Even though, the project has not been completed, some light vehicles are plying every day between Shopian and Rajouri and people are anxiously waiting for plying of heavy vehicles to supply apples, the main product exported from south Kashmir, particular from Shopian and Pulwama districts.Similarly, people from Rajouri and other mountainous districts of Jammu region are thinking on similar lines. They are hoping that large number of tourists will prefer to visit through this traditional road considering its natural beauty and natural waterfalls. The state government has already made it clear that some tourist development authorities would be established in various places for better infrastructure for the national and international tourists. They are hoping that Mughal Road will generate employment avenues for people in these areas and would uplift their economic status.The importance of the old Mughal Road is that it was the only entry point to the Kashmir Valley in medieval period. The road was traversed by the caravans of the Mughal emperors to help them enter the Kashmir Valley. It was this road that Akbar had used in 1586 to conquer Kashmir.

The work on the road began after the former Chief Minister Sheikh Abdullah conceived the idea but was suspended in 1979. However, the road was still used by the Gujjar community as they trek to the high altitude areas during summers.