Under the massive connectivity upgradation programme launched by the Government across the State, 150 KM road length is being upgraded in district Pulwama at an estimated cost of Rs 191 crore."Around 30 important roads and bridges have been taken up for upgradation and reconstruction in district Pulwama under various centrally and state-funded schemes," said a spokesman of the Public Works Department (PWD).
He said out of the 30 connectivity projects taken up for upgradation, work has been fully completed on eight projects including upgradation of 14 KM road from national highway near Sangam upto Industrial Growth Centre Lassipora at an estimated cost of Rs 7.50 crore, construction of bridge at Zahidbagh, Litter at an estimated cost of Rs 2.83 crore, upgradation of 7 KM long Lassipora-Arihal-Khamri road at an estimated cost of Rs 6.92 crore,construction of bridge near Machpuna on Pulwama-Payer road costing Rs 1.97 crore, construction of bridge near Rangmulla on Pulwama-Tahab-Lassipora road costing Rs 2.43 crore, construction of bridge near Mugalpora on Pulwama-Payer road costing Rs 1.73 crore, construction of bridge near Chatripora on Drusso-Chatripora road costing Rs 1.41 crore and construction of bridge near Chandrigam on Awantipora-Dadasara-Tral road costing Rs 3 crore.
He said work is going on in full swing on remaining connectivity projects in the district including construction of Circular Road Pulwama costing Rs 28.27 crore, upgradation of Pulwama-Tahab-Lassipora road costing Rs 18 crore, upgradation of Wakharwan-Badriwan-Renzipora and Dahwatoo-Gulzarpora-Beighpora roads costing Rs 3 crore, upgradation of Darul Aloom Karewa and Panzgam-Reshipora roads costing Rs 3 crore, upgradation of Bellow-Drubgam-Shadimarg road costing Rs 9.27 crore, upgradation of Drubgam-CB Nath-Achgooz road costing Rs 11.70 crore, upgradation of Alaipora-Lassipora road via Achan and Nilloora-Chakoora road costing Rs 6.87 crore, upgradation of Shadimarg-Qasbayar-CB Nath road costing Rs.2.87 crore, upgradation of Drubgam-Aglar-Pakharpora road costing Rs.3.93 crore, upgradation of Rahmoo-Bachinard road including interior roads of Kamrazpora costing Rs.2.95 crore, upgradation of Mitrigam-Akhal-Drubgam road costing Rs.2.94 crore, construction of bridge over Sasar Nallah at Rajpora on Rajpora-Haal road costing Rs.4.98 crore, construction of bridge over Sasar Nallah at Arabal on Bellow, Arabal, Nikas road costing Rs.4.98 crore, upgradation of road from National Highway near LPG bottling plant to Andrasoo via Gas Turbine Konibal costing Rs.11.89 crore, upgradation of interior roads at Kandizal and Khadermoh costing Rs.3.00 crore, widening of Awantipora-Dadsara-Tral road costing Rs.14.30 crore, widening of Tral-Satoora and Khankah-Pastoona roads via Batagund roads costing Rs.15.00 crore, widening of Bahu-Nowdal-Tral road costing Rs.7.19 crore and upgradation of Mandoora Junction to Bhatnoor Tral costing Rs.2.87 crore.
Speaking about the massive road connectivity upgradation programme in district Pulwama, Minister for Finance, Dr Haseeb Drabu, who also represents Rajpora constituency of the district in the Legislative Assembly said that improved connectivity will help unlock the huge economic potential in the area and open up some of the virgin tourist spots to the public.“Like other parts of the State, the Government has launched an extensive road connectivity programme in Pulwama to drive the economic growth and tackle the pestering disadvantage of the area unfortunately embroiled in high level of disturbances for quite some time,” Dr Drabu said.He said with the unflinching support of the Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti and the Works Minister Mr Naeem Akhtar, God willing, by the end of this year, Pulwama would be one of the best connected areas in South Kashmir with high-quality all-weather internal access to some of the best tourist spots and places of economic importance in the district. “Better road access will open up opportunities for the locals to reach new and diversified employment activities offering added economic opportunities,” he said.