Road connectivity needs major improvement in J&K

Srinagar, Sep12: The road connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir is in for major improvement with Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad fixing April 2008 as the time-frame for completion of ten important under- construction bridges, including seven in the Valley. At a high-level meeting to review bridge construction in several parts of the state here last evening, he asked officials concerned to prioritise the work and focus on completion of those under- construction bridges so that the people get the much-needed facility.

Mr Azad sought the status of various bridges being constructed by the Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC) in the two divisions and fixed time-frame for their completion. He sanctioned funds required by the project-executing agency for completion of these bridges as per the targeted time. Accordingly, the Ashai Bagh bridge in Srinagar city would be completed by October 15, the nearby Saida Kadal would be built a week earlier on October 7.

In Badgam district, the Arizal bridge, important for tourism promotion in the area, including Dodhpathri, would be completed by March 2008 while that in Chadoora would be ready by December 2007. The construction of Badran bridge in the district would be completed by December 2007. The Yarigund-Kawoosa bridge at Narbal would be completed by October 2007 while the one at Mirgund on Srinagar-Baramulla road was scheduled to be ready by March 2008.

He also asked the JKPCC to complete the under-construction Chattergul causeway in Ganderbal by November this year. The Chief Minister said he would soon review the construction of various bridges in Kupwara district and fix timeframe for their completion. In Jammu division, he fixed March 2008 as target for completion of Narian bridge in Nowshera, Rajouri and Chandimarh Dogrian on the Mughal Road and November 2007 for Pamroat in Surankote, Poonch.

Mr Azad also directed the JKPCC to complete on priority the construction of Qasimnagar-Shamshan road, saying he would soon visit the site to take stock of the progress of work. He asked the JKPCC to speed up work on the construction of Baghnala bridge in Kathua. The Chief Minister asked the JKPCC to take up construction of a bridge over river Chenab at Thathri connecting Prem Nagar in Doda district with Kadini in Kishtwar.

Mr Azad also took stock of the work on the Haj House at Bemina and the Legislature Complex here and impressed upon the executing agency to complete the two projects as per the fixed time-frame.

UNI