JAMMU: Stating that roads are lifeline for economy, Minister for Public Works and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri on Monday said that in a landmark achievement, 542 proposals worth Rs 2842.32 crore have been sanctioned under PMGSY, which would link 595 un-connected habitations by way of construction of 2732 km of roads across the State, besides two ring roads costing Rs 4,000 cr covering 118 kms have been approved for capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu.
Winding up the discussion on Demand of Grants for Public Works and Parliamentary Affairs Departments, the Minister lauded the role of both ruling and opposition legislators for their feedback and cooperation to the department adding that their valuable feedback will be instrumental for overhauling functioning of the department for better.
Elaborating on various programmes launched by the government, the minister said that out of 542 works sanctioned, tenders have been invited for 521 schemes while as 335 have been allotted so far besides work on 147 projects has already started.
Veeri also informed the House that matter was taken up at highest level for declaration of Mughal Road and Lakhanpur Basohli Bani Bhaderwah Pul Doda roads as new National Highways. In addition to these, strong efforts for Mughal road tunnel, Chattergala tunnel and other tunnels such as Sadhna, Razdan etc are being made with central government. In addition to these highways, Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has accorded in-principle approval for declaring two roads namely Dingaamb-Challa-Udhampur road and Lakhanpur-Mahanpur-Basohli-Dunera road as National Highways. The Expression of Interest for appointing DPR consultant is under finalisation
He also said that Kargil-Zanaskar road, Srinagar-Shopian-Qazigund road and Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch road have been declared new National Highways.