Centre approves Rs 3,500 cr for road projects in J-K: Minister

Says road-widening will be completed in Panthachowk area within two months

The Centre approved Rs 3,500 crore for two road projects here and in Jammu city in a bid to boost road development infrastructure in the state, Jammu and Kashmir Minister Altaf Bukhari has said here.

"The Government of India has also approved two ring road projects for the capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu at a total project cost of Rs 3,500 crore," Jammu and Kashmir Roads and Buildings Minister Altaf Bukhari said yesterday.

Bukhari said the accomplishment of these ambitious projects would go a long way towards decongestion of traffic movement in these cities.

Bukhari visited Panthachowk area of the city to review the progress on removal of bottlenecks and road-widening works.

The Minister also said the road-widening would be completed in this vital area within two months as most of the chronic bottlenecks have been already removed.

He said work is being expedited on upgradation of Srinagar-Jammu highway and the ambitious project is likely to be commissioned by next year.

"Given the sluggish performance of the project contractors, the Government has changed RAMKY with Project Management Unit to ensure speedy completion of the project and provide assured all-weather connectivity to Kashmir," the minister added.