BRO chief discusses several road projects with J-K CM

Director General of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Lt Gen Harpal Singh today called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti here and discussed several projects being executed in the state by his organisation.

The chief minister sought details of the widening of Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri stretch of the National Highway and asked for early finalisation of the detailed project report (DPR), an official spokesman said.

He said Mehbooba suggested making the entire stretch a green alignment and asked for constructing bypasses at Pattan and Baramulla to ensure that minimal dislocations of structuresand utilities is effected and the developed areas remain untouched while the highway is widened.

The DG BRO informed the chief minister that the DPR formulation for the project is being finalised and the suggestion for construction of bye-passes at Pattan and Baramulla would be incorporated, the spokesman said.

He said the chief minister also pressed for construction of tunnels at Sadhna and Razdan passes on Kupwara-Karnah and Bandipore-Gurez roads respectively in order to provide round the year connectivity to the people of these areas.

Lt Gen Singh also informed the chief minister that 19 km road on either side of Razdan Pass in Kupwara are being upgraded and so is the road on either side of Sadhna Pass.

Mehbooba also asked the DG BRO to expedite the work on Loran-Gulmarg Road so that it is completed at the earliest.

She also pressed for start of work on the upgradation of Rajouri-Thanamandi-Surankote road, Gurez-Tulail road, Reasi-Arnas-Mahore road and pacing up of work on the Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch road in view of the heavy rush of Shahdara Sharief devotees, the spokesman said.

He said the DG BRO also informed the chief minister that three more roads are being upgraded to priority sector in the state by his organisation which include Kishtwar-Bangus-Drangyari road, Brinjal-Kali Jinjer road connecting Baramulla with Handwara and Furkian-Kalaroos road.

He also informed her that the BRO has prepared a DPR of Rs 80 crore for stabilisation and repairs of Jawahar tunnel, a demand which was raised by the chief minister during her meeting with Union Minister for Roads and Highways Nitin Gadkari.

Lt Gen Singh assured the chief minister that his organisation would expedite the work on the road projects mentioned by her to complete them at the earliest.

He also informed her that more snow cutter machines and equipment would be inducted this year in the state on the roads manned by the BRO, the spokesperson said.