New Delhi, Mar 13: In a major financial reprieve for the Union Territory, the Centre has approved an additional assistance of over ₹330 crore to Jammu and Kashmir from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for undertaking relief and restoration measures in the wake of last year’s natural calamities.
The fund was cleared by the High-Level Committee (HLC) chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, which sanctioned a total assistance of ₹1,912.99 crore to six states and UTs affected by floods, landslides, and Cyclone ‘Montha’.
Official sources told Kashmir Convener that ₹330.34 crore has been allocated to Jammu and Kashmir. The release is subject to the adjustment of 50 per cent of the opening balance available in the Union Territory’s State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) account.
Among other states, the committee approved ₹341.48 crore for Andhra Pradesh, ₹15.70 crore for Chhattisgarh, ₹778.67 crore for Gujarat, ₹288.39 crore for Himachal Pradesh, and ₹158.41 crore for Nagaland.
The government reiterated its commitment to standing with states and UTs during natural disasters, ensuring all necessary support for relief and rehabilitation.
This assistance is in addition to the funds already released under the existing disaster management framework. According to official data, the Centre has released ₹20,735.20 crore to 28 states under SDRF and ₹3,628.18 crore to 21 states under NDRF during the current financial year.
In a separate development aimed at bolstering connectivity and road safety in the region, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday said that key safety and commuter facility works have been completed on the strategic NH-44 in Jammu & Kashmir at a total project cost of approximately ₹171.25 crore.
Gadkari informed that the initiatives include blackspot rectification at SIDCO Chowk and the Gole Mela–Sangoor stretch, the construction of a Limited Vehicle User Path (LVUP) with service roads at Samba, and the development of modern Wayside Amenities at Jhajjar Kotli, Qazigund, and Marhama.
The minister stated that these locations had been identified as accident-prone sections and high-conflict traffic points along the highway. The completed interventions aim to improve traffic circulation, enable safer turning movements, and optimize road geometry to enhance safety and ease congestion.
According to the minister, the Wayside Amenities developed along the corridor will provide rest areas, parking facilities, food courts, and sanitation services for commuters, tourists, and truck drivers.
Gadkari emphasized that these improvements will facilitate smoother and safer movement of passenger and freight traffic on NH-44, the crucial corridor connecting Jammu with the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country.
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we remain committed to strengthening highway infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir to promote connectivity, economic growth, and tourism,” the minister added.
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