Sheetal Bhat
Jammu, Jul 7: Union Minister for Roads and Highways Nitin Gatkari recently shared a tweet about completion of 1.8 k long, 2-Lane Ramban Viaduct on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which has highlighted the enormous work being done by the central government to improve and strengthen the road infrastructure to connect Kashmir Valley with rest of India with all weather highways.
Officials said that since the scrapping of the Article 370, roads have received important attention and funding of the government keeping in view the strategic and security challenges faced by India on Northern Borders.
Ramban viaduct, built at a cost of Rs 140 Crore, is situated on the Udhampur-Ramban section of NH-44. Additionally, another 2-Lane viaduct, running parallel to this structure, is nearing completion and will be opened soon.
Government data has revealed that from 6.54 kilometres per day to 20.6 kilometres a day the total length of roads being completed in Jammu and Kashmir has touched more than 41,141 kilometres.
“The highway development initiatives in J&K have significant economic implications. Improved road connectivity opens up new avenues for trade, commerce, and investment, attracting businesses to the region. It facilitates the transportation of goods to and from J&K, making it easier for local industries to access markets and consumers across the country”, said a senior administrative official.
Connectivity holds the key to economic prosperity and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the issue of J&K’s connectivity with the rest of the country gets resolved once in for all.
Under the dynamic leadership of LG Manoj Sinha and total support from Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, projects worth Rs one lakh crore works of highways and tunnels are going on in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Public Works Department (PWD) has also witnessed reforms after the scrapping of special status which has brought transparency in the work culture”, said an official in PWD.
J&K PWD Engineering Manual 2021 has been implemented, Road Maintenance Policy-2021 has been introduced, J&K Macadamization (execution and quality control) and DLP Enforcement Manual, SOP for regular departmental actions has been brought and introduction of online management monitoring accounting system is now in place. J&K is poised to become a thriving hub of economic activities, while also preserving its natural beauty and cultural heritage. The road to prosperity has begun, and Jammu and Kashmir are on the path to a brighter future.
