Jammu-Poonch NH four-laning project miles away from target

JAMMU: In a classic example of administrative inertia, the vital project of four-laning of the Jammu-Poonch national highway is moving at a snail’s pace as no major progress has been achieved on the project since the announcement of funds for its execution two years ago.

The Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch road was declared a national highway in 2015. Tribune photo

Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 14

In a classic example of administrative inertia, the vital project of four-laning of the Jammu-Poonch national highway is moving at a snail’s pace as no major progress has been achieved on the project since the announcement of funds for its execution two years ago.

The different departments, particularly the Power Development Department and Public Health Engineering Department, are yet to initiate the process of shifting their respective utilities.

Pertinently, the Jammu-Akhnoor-Rajouri-Poonch road has been declared as the new National Highway (NH) 144-A, and approved under the package for Rs 5,100 crore in November 2015.

While the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation has been entrusted the task of executing the project on the Jammu-Akhnoor section, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will take up the development of road from the Akhnoor-Nowshera-Poonch section with the existing carriage way of two-lane to its four-lane specification.

“From the Jammu-Akhnoor section, the preparation of detailed project reports is in the advanced stage which is about to complete. An amount of Rs 66 lakh has been allocated against which Rs 3 lakh stands utilised so far,” an official of the state’s Public Works Department said.

The official said, “An amount of Rs 3.32 crore has also been utilised for the improvement of the Jammu-Akhnoor stretch under periodical renewal programme by the department during 2016-17.”

“The contract for preparation of detailed project reports for the four-laning of road from Akhnoor to Poonch has been awarded to Highway Engineering Consultant, Bhopal, for Rs 4.42 crore in October 2017 by the BRO. The work of survey and preparation of detailed project reports is in progress. No funds have been utilised till date,” the official said. “However, funds have been utilised for the construction of the Kalai bridge over the Poonch river and construction of an approach road to the bridge which amount to Rs 17 crore and Rs 3.28 crore, respectively,” he added.

A source said the authorities would face another major challenge of getting forest clearance along with directions for submission of estimates of tree-cutting and compensatory afforestation for the project.

“Definitely, the project, which not only holds utmost public importance but also has strategic importance, has faced inordinate delay because of the lethargic approach adopted by those at the helm of affairs. The Jammu-Akhnoor section has become more problematic due to the voluminous increase in the number of vehicles,” the source said.

Ground work to begin next year

The sluggish pace of work on the project, being executed at a cost of Rs 5,100 crore under the Prime Minister’s Development Package, can be gauged from the fact that the executing agency is yet to complete the detailed project reports of different sections. If official sources are to be believed, the ground construction work of the project is likely to begin next year as the government is yet to acquire the land for the same.