Minister for FCS&CA, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, I&T, S&T, ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma, today called on Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi and discussed the development scenario in J&K related to road infrastructure and transportation.
Satish Sharma expressed gratitude for all the support being extended by the Union government towards development of the region. He apprised the Union Minister of status of the road network in J&K. He stated that J&K being a mountainous region requires good road connectivity to develop the far-flung areas.
The Minister also submitted a memorandum mentioning the construction and repair of several roads, highways and bridges throughout J&K. He urged for a dedicated corridor for Jammu Airport to Padamshri Padma Sachdev College for Women, Grade elevator for K C Theatre BC Road to Mandal, one elevated corridor from Jewel Chowk Jammu to Canal Road crossing to be connected with Akhnoor flyover.
Similarly, Satish Sharma also demanded one elevated corridor from Akhara Maisuma Chowk to Dalgate Srinagar, an elevated corridor from Qamarwari to Srinagar city, one elevated corridor for Downtown Srinagar just parallel above the existing route/roads from Soura-Nowhatta-Bohri Kadal-old city-Habba Kadal area besides elevated corridor/4-lanning on Boulevard road from Dalgate to Nishat area, second bridge over Jhelum with viaduct connecting existing Abdullah bridge Rajbagh and Lal Mandi Road, Srinagar.
The Minister requested for under passes for the pedestrians and Mono-Rail under Urban Transportation, development of Integrated Transport Hubs to improve multimodal connectivity in Jammu and Srinagar cities.
Satish Sharma also urged for four lanning/upgradation of road connectivity in border areas especially Akhnoor-Chhamb and Kupwara-Uri (Border Transportation) besides enhanced allocations under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for remote and border villages.
The Minister discussed various other issues including early completion of ongoing tunnel projects and approval of new tunnels at various places especially snow bound areas, assistance for procuring electric buses and establishing charging infrastructure under ongoing schemes for public transport modernisation, Pilot projects on smart public transport systems using real-time tracking and passenger information systems, installation of Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) Cameras on State and Local Roads, approval for ropeway projects to boost tourism and improve connectivity in border and hilly regions besides expansion of existing ropeway projects.
Satish Sharma also requested for financial support for feasibility and project execution under the National Ropeway Development Program, strengthening border area roads for strategic and civilian purposes under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, establishment of a Center of Excellence in Road and Transport Engineering in J&K for research and training, allocation of funds for procurement and strengthening of government owned public transport fleet in J&K, establishment of an Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) in Kashmir province in the upcoming financial year on the similar pattern of IDTR in Jammu, establishment of Government-Funded Automatic Vehicle Fitness and Inspection Centres in different locations in J&K.
The Union Minister, while responding to the issues raised by the UT Minister, assured that all these matters of vital public importance would be considered for redressal within the shortest possible time.
Nitin Gadkari said that the vision of Viksit Bharat can't be achieved without the progress of J&K as it has exceptional place in national progress policy. He said that centre government is committed for establishment of a robust roads and highways infrastructure in the region. He assured to consider the projects highlighted by the UT Minister, Satish Sharma.