The Union Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) today gave its clearance to the 59 Road Projects worth Rs 452.57 crores, under Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the proposal with regard to PMGSY-III, batch-Ist of 2023-24, for the construction/upgradation of 59 roads, under Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojna was submitted to the Union Government by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in the last quarter of the previous financial year. The proposal was considered by the Empowered Committee of the Union Government in its meeting held on June 8, 2023 and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) accorded its clearance today and communicated to the UT Government.
Sources further revealed that a total road length of 400.05 kms in just 14 districts will be constructed under this Phase, during current financial year, with the cost of Rs 452.57 crores. Out of the total project cost for these 59 roads, Union Ministry of Rural Development will provide Rs 393.42 crores while the share of J&K UT will be Rs 59.14 crores.
Meanwhile, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha after this development tweeted: “Grateful to PM Narendra Modi and Minister of Rural Development Giriraj Singh Ji for approval of 400 Kms of road upgradation work under PMGSY-III, at a cost of Rs 452.57 crores. It will benefit hundreds of habitations in 14 districts of J&K UT.”
Referring to the important feature of these 59 roads cleared for upgradation/construction, the sources further disclosed that these roads will be constructed with new technology using waste plastics and widened from the existing ones from 3 meters to 3.75 mts carriageway and this should be ensured through geo- tagged photographs/ video-graphy.
As per the guidelines, the sources said, the Union Territory will upload Design Stage Road Safety Audit reports of all the roads on OMMAS (portal) before tendering. The Ministry has further directed that the Quality Control Lab must compulsorily be established and geo-tagged time-stamped photograph of the Engineer-in-Chief’s visit in the Lab, should be uploaded on OMMAS before commencement of road work.
“The Union Territory of J&K shall ensure installation of GPS system in key machinery and equipment engaged during execution of road work under PNGSY-III, in terms of instructions issued by NRIDA,” the sources added.
Giving break up of the roads being upgraded, the sources added that out of the total 59 roads, 41 roads will be upgraded in Kashmir while 18 in Jammu Division. The roads of three districts of Jammu region, including Doda, Kishtwar and Poonch and three from Kashmir -including Srinagar, Ganderbal and Kulgam do not exist in the list.
Two roads of Jammu district, four from Kathua, five from Rajouri, three from Udhampur, two from Reasi and one each from Samba and Ramban will be upgraded in Jammu region while nine roads from Baramulla, eight from Budgam, seven from Pulwama, five from Bandipora, five from Shopian, four from Kupwara and three from Anantnag will be upgraded under PMGSY, the sources added.
It is pertinent to mention here that during 2022-23, Rs 1357.87 crores were sanctioned by the Union Government for 155 roads in J&K UT, with 1272 kms road length, under PMGSY-III, batch Ist.
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