Satish Sharma calls on Union
Minister; discusses issues regarding road, transport infra in J&K
NEW DELHI, JANUARY
7: 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.