Minister for Public Works and Culture, Naeem Akhtar, today said the Union Ministry of Rural Development has approved projects worth more than Rs 3300 crore under Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojna that will be taken up in Jammu and Kashmir during this fiscal.Under PMGSY Phase 1, the Union Ministry has sanctioned construction of 703 roads and 73 bridges worth Rs 3324.14 crores including macadamisation of new 2752 kilometres and upgrading of 1870 km road length in different parts of the state under the centrally sponsored scheme.In a major boost for road connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, the Ministry has also approved construction of 73 Long Span Bridges with length of 3084 metres. In total, 4821 km road length including new ones and those at different stages of construction have been approved by the ministry which will connect 39 inhabitations with mainland.“This feat has become possible with strenuous efforts of J&K’s Development Commissioner, Chief Engineers and other officers of the Public Works and other allied Departments who ensured that the recommendations sent to the Centre meet all the requirements under the PMGSY.
The state government is also grateful to the Centre for sanctioning record number of projects that will boost the developmental works in the state,” he said.Akhtar said the new projects sanctioned under PMGSY will boost the developmental agenda of the state government spearheaded by the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, “These connectivity projects will erase the geographical boundaries between people living in far flung areas of the state and open up new vistas of social progress and economic prosperity,” he said.The Works Minister complimented the team of planners and engineers who have managed to get sanction for record number of projects under the centrally-sponsored scheme, the first part of which, PMGSY 1, is closing this year, “It is the recognition of the revival of the spirit of PMGSY witnessed under the present state government that such a package has been sanctioned to J&K for the first time,” Akhtar said.