Govt expresses concern over incomplete highway project

Expressing concern over the delay in completion of Qazigund-Panthachowk strip of Srinagar-Jammu national highway project, the state government has asked the executing agency to complete it at the earliest possible.
"The State Government cannot act as mute spectator to the sufferings of the people... The project has already missed several deadlines," Roads and Buildings Minister Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari said.
Bukhari visited the four-lane Qazigund-Panthachowk strip yesterday along with Horticulture minister Abdul Rehman Veeri and a team of senior officers to take an on-spot review of the progress of work.
Terming the Qazigund-Srinagar road link as a "lifeline" for Kashmir, Bukhari asked Hyderabad-based infrastructure firm 'Ramky', the executing agency for the project to redouble its efforts and increase both men and machinery on the project to ensure that it is completed within shortest possible time.

The minister also expressed concern over the delay caused in completion of the project despite full assistance being extended by the state government to the executing agency.
"Road connectivity is the priority of the government. On personal intervention of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, the Centre has agreed to release Rs 613 crore grant for various key road projects in the State," Bukhari said.

The state government has instructed Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar, Pulwama and Anantnag to settle all land dispute cases and ensure that the required patch of land, which has not been acquired so far, is handed over to executing agency to carry forward the project smoothly, he added.

The ministers have asked 'Ramky' to repair the dilapidated patches of the existing highway so that people travelling on this road can feel some comfort in travelling.
Initiated in 2011, the project was supposed to be completed by June last year after several extensions.