Connectivity top priority of J-K government: Sayeed

Describing connectivity as a gateway to development, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the government is committed to provide dependable road links between the two divisions of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Connectivity is a top priority of the government. Once the work on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is completed, the journey between the two capital cities will take no more than four hours," Sayeed said here.
Sayeed was speaking during a Calling Attention Notice moved by MLA Inderwal, G M Saroori, in the state Legislative Assembly.
He referred to the "poor condition" of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway when he took over reins of power.

The chief minister also expressed concern over the delay in completion of National Highways Development Project in the state, which was launched during former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's tenure in 2001.
"A few drops of rains and the DGP used to inform me that the road has been closed," he said, while referring to the improvement in condition of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway following meetings he had with the Surface Transport and National Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, to restore critical stretches between Banihal-Ramban, Ramban-Udhampur and Qazigund-Srinagar.

Reiterating his commitment to provide regional connectivity by developing Kishtwar-Daksum Road via Sinthan Top as a permanent link, Sayeed highlighted the need to revive the construction of the shelved Vailoo tunnel project.

"I have been told that the proposal for construction of the tunnel has been shelved," he said, adding he will take up the issue with the Ministry of Road Transport so that the vital alternate road link is provided between the two regions.
"Permanent road link from Daksum via the picturesque Sinthan Top has been my dream," he said.
He said the restoration of Batote-Doda Road has been flagged and Border Roads Organisation will have to maintain the critical stretch on a long-term basis to provide vital connectivity to far-off places like Kishtwar and Bhadarwah.
Speaking on the issue of distribution of ration as per 2011 Census, the Sayeed asked the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department to broaden the scope of its distribution network by providing essential commodities like edible oil to the people at a lower cost.