NHAI submits Rs 2,000 cr re-alignment project to Centre
14-km four-lane stretch to bypass ‘killer spots’ on Ramban-Banihal section to make it all-weather road
Arteev Sharma
Tribune News Service
Jammu, August 2
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has submitted a detailed project report (DPR) worth Rs 2,000 crore to the Centre for the re-alignment of the 14-km four-lane stretch on the treacherous Ramban-Banihal section bypassing half-a-dozen “killer spots” to make it an all-weather road.
The re-alignment was finalised between Marog village and Makarkote in Ramban district and the “evaluation process for the appointment of a consultant” has been initiated.
“We have prepared the DPR (for the 14-km realignment of road) and submitted it for further action. All major trouble and land-sliding points, including Marog, Panthial, Digdol and Battery Chashma will be bypassed after realignment to make it an all-weather road,” Parshotam Kumar, Project Director, NHAI, Ramban sector, told The Tribune.
Kumar said the re-alignment would have tunnels and bridges to avoid all land-sliding and sinking areas. “It will definitely push the deadline of the project further,” the Project Director said.
At present, the NHAI has been executing four-laning work on two treacherous stretches, including the 43-km-long Udhampur-Ramban section and 36-km-long Ramban-Banihal section — on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.
To a query, Kumar said, “Our work on protection walls is in full swing due to abundant availability of labourers, but we have been facing problem on the technical front as skilled manpower is stuck at different places due to the prevailing situation”.
Ajay Kumar Razak, Project Director, NHAI, Udhampur-Ramban sector, said, “Our efficiency has come down to 30-40 per cent due to the non-availability labourers and technical workforce. Initially, we also faced problems in supply chain due to the lockdown in different parts of the country. The situation has improved but the shortage of skilled workforce is still a major challenge”.
The work on the highway widening was started in 2011 and targeted to be completed within five years from its commencement. The four-laning of the highway was to reduce the distance between Jammu and Srinagar cities by 50 km.
