Minister for R&B, Gardens, Parks and Floriculture, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari Thursday asked the authorities of RAMKAY, the executing agency for 4-lane Banihal-Panthachowk section of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, to expedite work on the project to that same is completed at the earliest.The Minister was reviewing the progress of the crucial project at a meeting with the authorities of RAMKAY here today.Besides S K Dixist, CMD of RAMKAY, project Director and other senior functionaries of the agency were also present in the meeting.While discussing the issue, Mr Dixit identified certain bottlenecks including land acquisition at two places falling within the jurisdiction of Anantnag district and sought help from the Government for early acquisition of the land coming under the project. He said with the improvement in weather, the agency has intensified work on this section of National Highway.
He said men and machinery shall be increased further and assured the Minister that every effort shall be made to complete the project at the earliest. The Minister instructed the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag to personally look into the issues raised by RAMKAY and ensure early settlement of pending land acquisition cases and handing over of land to the executing agency.The Minister said Government cannot leave people to suffer because of laxity shown by the executing agency, as tens of thousands of people travel on this road daily and asked the RAMKAY authorities to get the old road renovated and macadamized so that commuters traveling on this road feel comfortable.