Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Jan 7: Satish Sharma, the Minister for FCS&CA, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, I&T, S&T, ARI & Trainings, met with Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, to discuss the development of road infrastructure and transportation in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
He briefed the Union Minister on the current status of the road network in J&K, highlighting the necessity for improved road connectivity in this mountainous region to promote development in remote areas.
During the meeting, the Minister delivered a memorandum outlining the need for constructing and repairing a variety of roads, highways, and bridges across J&K. He emphasized the importance of creating a dedicated corridor from Jammu Airport to Padamshri Padma Sachdev College for Women, along with an elevated corridor from BC Road to Mandal at K C Theatre, and a connection from Jewel Chowk Jammu to Canal Road with the Akhnoor flyover.
Moreover, Satish Sharma requested an elevated corridor from Akhara Maisuma Chowk to Dalgate in Srinagar, another from Qamarwari to Srinagar city, and one for Downtown Srinagar, running parallel to existing routes from Soura to Nowhatta, Bohri Kadal, Old City, and Habba Kadal. He also sought an elevated corridor and four-laning on Boulevard Road from Dalgate to Nishat, in addition to a second bridge over the Jhelum with a viaduct connecting the existing Abdullah bridge at Rajbagh to Lal Mandi Road in Srinagar.
The Minister called for pedestrian underpasses and a Mono-Rail system as part of Urban Transportation, as well as the development of Integrated Transport Hubs to enhance multimodal connectivity in the cities of Jammu and Srinagar.
Furthermore, Satish Sharma urged for four-laning and upgrading road connectivity in border areas, particularly along the Akhnoor-Chhamb and Kupwara-Uri routes, alongside increased funding under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for remote and border villages.
He addressed several additional matters, including the prompt completion of ongoing tunnel projects, the approval of new tunnels in areas prone to snow, support for acquiring electric buses and establishing corresponding charging infrastructure within current public transport modernization initiatives, pilot projects for smart public transport systems featuring real-time tracking and passenger information, and the installation of Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) cameras on state and local roads. He also advocated for the approval of ropeway projects to enhance tourism and connectivity in border and hilly areas, as well as the expansion of existing ropeway systems.
Satish Sharma further requested financial assistance for feasibility studies and project implementation under the National Ropeway Development Program, the reinforcement of border area roads for strategic and civilian purposes under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, and the establishment of a Center of Excellence in Road and Transport Engineering in J&K for research and training purposes. Additionally, he sought funds for procuring and enhancing the government-owned public transport fleet in J&K, the establishment of an Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) in the Kashmir province on the pattern of the one in Jammu, and the creation of Government-Funded Automatic Vehicle Fitness and Inspection Centres across various locations in J&K.
In response to the issues raised by the UT Minister, the Union Minister assured that all these crucial matters would be addressed promptly. Nitin Gadkari emphasized that the vision of a developed India cannot be realized without the advancement of J&K, which holds a significant position in national development policy. He confirmed the Central Government’s dedication to building robust road and highway infrastructure in the region and pledged to consider the projects presented by Minister Satish Sharma.
