J-K unrest delayed construction of strategic roads

The unrest in Jammu and Kashmir has delayed the construction of the strategic roads in the state, which when completed would boost military's ability to mobilise faster towards adverse areas, the government said today.
Four-laning works on Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri, which is scheduled for completion by July this year, has been delayed.
Handing over of road Sinathan Pass-Anantnag to NHAI will be postponed as the pending work on this road will now go beyond the planned September.
In addition, many vehicles/ equipment have been damaged, non-availability of which will directly affect the work efficiency.
The most affected locations where delay/loss of work has been seen are Tangdhar, Anantnag, Kupwara and Bandipur sectors, a statement by the defence ministry said.

It added that majority of the non-local labours from the Valley have moved out of state in search of their daily livelihood due to continuous disturbance.

"Movement and shifting of the material to forward areas have also hampered the work in Ladakh region which will severely impinge on the completion of strategic roads and spending of allotted funds," the statement said.
The ongoing unrest in Kashmir valley has adversely affected the road construction activities undertaken by Border Road Organisation, it said.
The Ministry stressed that BRO has suffered loss of working season, loss of more than three months of working season during summer is of serious concern, while endeavours are being made to execute work whenever and wherever possible.

"But owing to restrictions on movement of vehicles and persons, desired progress could not be made and as a result many appreciated targets perforce will have to be revised," it said.