Minister for R&B, Syed Altaf Ahmed Bukhari today informed the House that the road from Katra to Reasi NH-144 (Length 26.50 kms) has been taken over by R&B Department from BRO for its improvement and upgradation during in May 2015. The present status of the road is B.T. = 14 kms, DBM = 10.00 kms and F.W. = 2.50 kms. The portion of road from Katra to Reasi is in good condition except for 2.50 kms stretch. The Expression of Interest for its improvement and upgradation from Katra - Reasi – Pouni has been invited for 2nd time. The Estimates for improvement and upgradation of road from Katra to Aghar Jitto, Aghar Jitto to Nau - Devian and Nau – Devian to Reasi have been submitted to the MORT&H at a cost of Rs. 9.42 Crores, Rs 4.86 Crores and Rs. 16.41 Crores respectively for sanction. As soon as the jobs are sanctioned, the work will be taken up immediately.
The Minister was replying to a Calling Attention Notice by Mr. Ajay Nanda. He said that this road having a length of 9.00 Kms and is of BT status with damaged surface. The improvement / upgradation of this road has been sanctioned under State Plan at a cost of Rs. 927.00 lacs, against which the expenditure ending 03/2015 is Rs. 66.50 lacs. During the current financial year, an amount of Rs. 10.00 lacs has been earmarked. 1.50 Kms BT in patches, 6.7 Kms MT, SH 1 Km, Earth work 0.80 Km and Drainage crossing 1 No. have been completed so far. Moreover, for improvement in riding quality surface of said road by way of laying of 25mm SDBC and 50mm B.M., a length of 4.00 kms has been proposed under macadamization programme of City/Town roads at a cost of Rs. 176.00 lacs for which tenders stand floated. The work will be taken up shortly.
He further said this road has a length of 7.00 Kms is of damaged B.T. surface. The road is being maintained out of available maintenance grant. However, during the current financial year, 2015-16, Impvtt./ Upgd. of road from Bansa Morh to Muttal (L=2.00 kms) Phase-I has been taken up under State Sector Projectization at a cost of Rs. 100.00 lacs, against which Rs. 10.00 lacs has been approved during the current year. Tenders are being floated for providing and laying of WMM, BM and SDBC shortly.