J&K’s Road Infra Marvels Under PM Modi’s Tenure Are Eye Catching

Muzamil Ahmad 

Srinagar Mar 05: Over the past five years, significant progress has been made in the development of Jammu and Kashmir, marked by the construction of new roads, bridges, and flyovers in the Union Territory.

Improving road and bridge infrastructure plays a crucial role in boosting connectivity, facilitating the movement of goods and people, and improving the overall economic development.

Realization of the vision and objectives of the J&K's Roads and Buildings Department is pursued through implementation of various flagship programmes and schemes of the department which have been implemented over the last five years. 

According to official figures, under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) programme, unconnected habitations with 250+ population in J&K as per 2001 census are to be connected through all-weather roads. 

"In J&K, 2140 rural habitations were found eligible to be connected under this scheme for which Ministry of Rural Development, GoI has sanctioned 3453 projects (including 239 LSBs) under PMGSY-I & II for construction of 19049 Km road length at an estimated cost of Rs.12565 Cr. Moreover, 276 projects (including 65 LSBs) sanctioned under PMGSY-III for upgradation of 1617Km length at an estimated cost of Rs.2093.00 Crores," the figures reveal. 

Despite limited working season, J&K according to figures have achieved 99% of the sanctioned programme. 

"2107 habitations have already been connected by March 2023 and 12 habitations are connected during this year (upto 30-11-2023). Remaining 33 habitations are targeted to be connected by March 2024, there by 18336 Km road length against the sanctioned programme," the figures reveal. 

Similarly, according to official figures, at least 16 bridges were constructions during 2019-2020 and the number reached to 21, 53, 30 and 7 during 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, respectively.

J&K has exceptionally performed in making progress and achieving goals under PMGSY during past three years. The UT has consecutively ranked 3rd at the national level during 2020-21 and 2021-22 in terms of road length constructed under the programme. 

For improving rural connectivity, J&K Government is obtaining loan from NABARD under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) programme for construction of “rural roads” and “rural bridges” in J&K. 

Under RIDF tranches XXV-XXIX, the figures reveal that a record number of 1057 road and bridge projects for an amount of Rs.4550 Cr have been sanctioned since 2019-20, which include 183 projects sanctioned during 2023-24 at a cost of Rs.913 Cr. 

Aim under Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) scheme is to develop and maintain state roads, particularly those of economic importance and which provides inter-state connectivity, rural roads.  

Construction/ upgradation of 294 major road and bridge projects have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) under the scheme since 2000 at an estimated cost of Rs 4315 crore. 

Similarly, 163 projects have been completed and an expenditure to the tune of Rs 2706 Crore incurred on the sanctioned projects.

Potholes on the roads have been major concern for smooth flow of traffic, damages to vehicles and accidents, thus causing huge inconvenience to general public.

Taking cognizance of this, the UT Government in 2021-22 introduced Pothole Free Roads Programme in phased manner, wherein all major roads from State Headquarter to District Headquarter, inter District roads, District Headquarter to Sub-Divisional/ Tehsil/ Block Headquarter and roads connecting National Highways are to be made pothole free.

Bridges form an important component of road connectivity. Bridges ensure accessibility, shorten distances, and reduce travel time. 

The Department is implementing a special bridge programme under which construction of new bridges is taken up.  Bridges, however, are also taken up under other schemes/ sectors as well.

"Under various sectors, 338 bridges are under construction in the UT through PWD at an estimated cost of Rs 1785 Cr. During last 05 years, 290 bridges have been completed at an estimated cost of Rs 880 Cr," the documents reveal. 

PMDP was announced during 2015-16 having 15 Road Projects at an estimated cost of Rs. 29369.76 Crore. 

PMDP projects have many tunnels, fly-overs and by-passes which have now been tendered out, allotted and execution of work have started.

"There are 21 tunnels having length of 69.3 KMs, 39 Flyovers with length of 47.4 KMs and 26 Bypasses and 2 Ring Roads for both capital cities with a length of 160 Kms, works which are under execution and are at various stages of completion. Majority of these infrastructure projects have been sanctioned for execution during 2020-23, the documents added.