JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today chaired a meeting and held a detailed review of the restoration of road infrastructure, including National Highways and critical roads of Jammu & Kashmir damaged due to recent floods.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary PW(R&B), Chief Engineers of all wings of PWD, Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers, RO NHAI, Chief Engineer BEACON, Chief Engineer SAMPARK, Project Director NHIDCL and other concerned officers.
During the meeting, Principal Secretary PWD gave a power presentation about the overall road infrastructure maintained by various agencies. It was informed that out of the total road length of 42000 km, around 12000 km has suffered damage due to recent floods/flash floods.
The Deputy Chief Minister was apprised that the department has put in place men and machinery on a war footing for the temporary restoration of the road connectivity.
The RO NHAI informed that NH44 has suffered major damage in the Udhampur-Ramban stretch, which will be restored by today evening, while on the Dhar-Udhampur stretch, the traffic will be through for one-way movement by tomorrow. The RO also apprised that out of the total 105 Bridges at NH44, 03 bridges were damaged and have been restored.
Taking serious note of the damage caused to the Seri-Kath Bridge at Kathua, the Deputy Chief Minister asked NHAI authorities the reason for the Seri-Kath bridge collapse in the recent floods despite having been constructed only a few years back. He directed the NHAI to conduct the design/structural audit of all bridges constructed by the agency.
The Deputy CM directed the department to coordinate with the other agencies for the immediate restoration of the damaged infrastructure as early as possible.
The Chief Engineer SAMPARK Jammu apprised the Chair that Rajouri- Thannamandi Road, Surankote Road, Reasi- Arnas -Mahore, Rajouri- Kandi -Budhal, Pouni -Sair Rajouri, Beeri-Pethan and Jhulas and Akhnoor Poonch have been restored, whereas the work at the Budhal- Mahore – Gul Road is blocked and will be restored within a week.
The status of Kishtwar- Chastoi, Doda -Kishtwar, and Kishtwar- Sintan Roads was also reviewed, and the concerned Engineers of PWD and the Project Director NHIDCL informed that the temporary restoration of the maximum roads has been done and work on the remaining roads is going on a war footing.
The Principal Secretary PW (R&B) also informed that all measures have been taken to ensure that all vital, critical and strategic links are restored for traffic.
The Deputy CM, during the meeting, also took a detailed assessment of restoration works in the Kashmir Valley, especially in South Kashmir.
The Chief Engineer of Central/South Kashmir informed that the damaged roads have been temporarily restored for vehicular movement; however, at Vailloo, five roads and three culverts have suffered major damage.
In this regard, the Deputy CM directed CE and SE concerned to visit the spots and take necessary remedial measures for restoration of the roads and submit a report to the Administrative department on the same.
Keeping in view of the massive damage caused to the Bridges/ Road infrastructure, due to recent floods, the Deputy CM directed the NHAI authorities to conduct a safety audit of all bridges, including design alignment of the structure in a scientific way, which will help in maintaining the eco-fragile nature of the mountainous regions on the Highways.
He stressed that all targets set for restoration/completion be achieved within the given time frame, and wherever executing agencies/contractors are negligent/complacent, strict actions as per norms be initiated, including blacklisting.
The Deputy CM maintained that all the agencies, including BRO and National Highway, should maintain quality and standard as per standing norms and should avoid sub-letting of the major contracts. He stressed that any deviation in this regard shall be viewed seriously, and actions warranted should be taken against the responsible officers.
The Deputy CM also called for smooth and immediate road connectivity across J&K to ensure free movement of people, goods and services. He also stressed that the R&B department is the first to respond to natural calamities, and every other service, including the essential ones, can only reach the people once the road is through.
