Jammu: Apni Party President, Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari, today demanded time-bound completion of work on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which is causing great inconvenience to the people.
While welcoming the visit of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, Altaf Bukhari according to the Apni Party spokesperson hailed the foundation for four National Highway projects worth Rs 3612 crores including commencement of the Srinagar Ring Road Project.
Bukhari said that besides Sudhmahadev Khelani road, the Govt. should also expedite construction work of Singhpura-Viloo tunnel in Kishtwar.
“The Singhpura-Viloo tunnel will be beneficial for Amarnath pilgrims, tourists and the general public,” he said.
He said: “Road connectivity is a key driver of the socio-economic growth and development of any region. The road infrastructure in J&K like other parts of the country will further open up new livelihood avenues for the local population, enhancing tourism and business activities.”
Appreciating Gadkari’s keen interest in Z-Morh and Zojila Tunnels on Srinagar-Leh highway, he said that “Certain left out projects in J&K which are of utmost importance and need urgent attention of the Government of India so that they can be completed timely.”
“The dilapidated condition of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway—being the Valley’s only land connectivity with the rest of the country, has been a source of perpetual distress for the people of the region especially during winters,” he said.
He said that “A major portion of this highway is landslide prone, slippery and dangerous and demanded work on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway should be expedited and completed in a time bound manner.”
The work on four lanning of Srinagar Ring Road should also be expedited so that it can be completed within the stipulated deadline of the project, he said.
And in view of the land scarcity in Srinagar city, he suggested exploring the possibility of construction of an elevated corridor instead of getting rapt in multiple land acquisitions cases.
While appreciating the interest of Gadkari on inter-regional connectivity across J&K, he said the historic Mughal Road, Kishtwar-Anantnag, Gurez Bandipora and Kupwara-Tangdhar roads cannot prove effective unless the indispensable tunnels are constructed.
“If tunnels are constructed, they will not only shorten the distance between the sub regions but to make these roads an all-weather reliable connectivity option between different regions of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He said that “The historic Mughal Road connects Kashmir with Poonch via Shopian district and if the tunnel is constructed, the road would be an alternative to Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which often remains closed during winters due to landslides and shooting stones.”
Though conceptualized decades ago, the 84 km-long Shopian-Poonch road remains open for traffic during summer months only as heavy snowfall at several places including Peer Ki Gali and Bafliaz shuts it during winters, he added.
He further said that there is demand for the tunnel project at Peer Ki Gali as well.
He also said that “A 10.2 km Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel on Kishtwar-Anantnag road is yet to see any results. This road that would provide an alternative link to Kashmir with the outside world remains open for traffic during summer months only as heavy snowfall at several places including Sinthan Pass shuts it during winters.”
“The tunnel which would start at Ahlan in Vailoo area of Kokernag in Anantnag would bypass a treacherous stretch on the road that remains buried under snow during winter to connect with Chatroo in Kishtwar and also shorten the distance between two districts.”
The tunnel would provide an alternative to the Srinagar-Jammu National highway and help in averting frequent road accidents in the Chenab valley. It would also give a fillip to tourism in the region.
He also demanded construction of a tunnel on Gurez-Bandipora road which would reduce the distance by 38 kms between Bandipora district and its township Gurez valley.
“Sadhna Top Tunnel in Kupwara-Tangdhar Road, lanning of Srinagar-Uri Highway,” he demanded and added that the work on Baramulla-Gulmarag Road should be expedited.
