Principal Secretary reviews wayside amenities on major highways in J&K
Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar, reviewed the status of wayside amenities and toilet facilities along major highways and roads across Jammu and Kashmir during a meeting focused on improving facilities for local commuters and the growing number of tourists visiting the Union Territory.
The meeting, which included Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Yasha Mudgal, Secretary PWD, Bhupinder Kumar, senior officers from NHAI, BRO, NHIDCL, R&B, and the Tourism Department, aimed to address the growing infrastructure needs and enhance the travel experience for visitors.
The Principal Secretary instructed officials to identify locations along highways and acquire or transfer land in consultation with the concerned Deputy Commissioners to build the necessary facilities for both locals and tourists. He also directed the installation of signboards marking toilet facilities and indicating distances along highways to improve visibility and accessibility.
The Principal Secretary further directed the Beacon authorities to submit a location plan for wayside amenities within fixed timelines and instructed the NHAI to ensure that all existing amenities are made functional. Additionally, the Public Works Department (PWD) and Tourism Departments were tasked with conducting a gap analysis to determine location-specific requirements for new wayside amenities along major highways and other important routes.
This will help create an infrastructural development plan that meets the evolving needs of both residents and visitors.
Kumar also directed the agencies concerned to incorporate wayside amenities and toilet facilities into the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of ongoing and future road construction projects.
