BJP welcomes sanctioning of new highways in J&K

Jammu, Jul 25: The state unit of the BJP today welcomed Centre's decision to build new highways in Jammu and Kashmir, party official said.

"Sanctioning of new highways for the state by the Union government is indeed one more step towards improving the basic infrastructure in the entire state," BJP state spokesman Balbir Ram Rattan said.

He said the announcement of new highways for the state also vindicates the stand of the BJP that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment, for fulfilling development promises, are genuine and sincere.

The decision of the Union government, which is very crucial for the development and prosperity of this border state, also addresses the aspirations of all the three regions equitably, he said.

"By having sanctioned three major highways projects in the much needed areas of Jammu, same number for Kashmir valley and two projects for Ladakh, no part of the state would feel neglected," he said.

State-run National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) recently announced that the company would be laying about 130 km of projects in Jammu & Kashmir under Modi government's ambitious Bharat Mala Project.

NHIDCL Managing Director Anand Kumar had said the company has already initiated process for awarding contracts for widening of 274 km stretch of Chenamani Kishtnar-SinlhanPass- Khanabal section on NH 244 and 35 km stretch of Jammu-Akhnoor section of NH 144A.

He said under Bharat Mala, the company will be undertaking two projects in the state -- 67 km of Punch-Uri stretch on NH 1 and 65 km stretch of Qazitur on NH-1 to Tangdhar project.

"Under NHRTP, we are going to take two projects that include Baramullah on NH-1A to Gulmarg and Chenani-Khallani stretch. Both together are 103 km," Kumar said.

PTI