Minister for Works (R&B), Naeem Akhtar today informed the House that construction of 22.73 kilometres of road length has been undertaken under NABARD in Udhampur constituency with an estimated cost of Rs 15.98 crore out of which Rs 15.23 crore have been utilized upto March 2017.Replying to the question of legislator Pawan Gupta, the Minister said that efforts are being made to complete works on these roads at the earliest, However, in case a particular scheme becomes cost overrun, the same is supplemented with State sector funding after following due procedure and within the available resources.He further added that the reason for non-completion of these roads is cost overrun and awaited forest clearance, the funds in respect of roads which are yet to be completed are available in shape of material and no diversion has been made, he added.The Minister said that 369.21 kilometres of road stand already completed with an estimated cost of Rs 100.49 crore out of which 41.96 crore stand utilized in Jammu division till March 2017 under CRF. With regard to CRF roads falling in more than one constituency, 2 roads have been undertaken which include improvement/up-gradation of R S Pura-Suchetgarh road with 1 km in R S Pura and 5.80 km in Suchetgarh constituency and improvement/up-gradation of Koteranka-Khawas road with 15 km in Darhal and 15.20 km in Kalakote constituency, he added.
The Minister further informed that 156.885 kilometres of road length undertaken in Stage I and II under PMGSY is yet to be completed. The delay in the payment of compensation to land owners is due to the fact that statutory process of land acquisition involved in preparation of compensation papers, issuance of notification and the draft award takes one to two years for completion, he added.He further said that an amount of Rs.6.7 crore has been released as compensation by PIU to the Revenue Department and the balance amount of Rs 74.86 lakh is required but release is awaited due to issuance of awards.The Minister further said that the roads undertaken under NABARD/CRF Sector in Udhampur district which are awaiting forest clearance include Jakhani Udhampur to Village Bali viz Sharadha Mata Temple, construction of road from Danas to Budda Kedarnath and up-gradation of roads from Thial to Chountra Mata in kilometre 6th RD 500 to kilometre 19th RD 500.He said that 3 road projects including Bansa Morh to Barnike, Gathyal Morh to Salara and Garnai to Upper Garnai with an estimated cost of Rs 12.81 crore are pending in Udhampur constituency for want of forest clearance.The Minister said that the Government is very actively considering sponsoring of major CRF projects for Udhampur constituency for current year.