Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has recently met with two Union Cabinet Ministers, namely Nitin Gadkare Minister for Surface Transport and National Highways and the Food Minister Ramvilas Paswan. With the former, he took up the matter of improving and upgrading existing roadways and building more tunnels and flyovers to make road transport in the State smooth and without obstruction. We have noticed that Modi Government is seriously concerned about expansion and upgrading of road connectivity in the state. This has been amply reflected in the Railway Budget and the Annual Budget 2014-15, both of which were recently presented in the Parliament. The Finance Minister announced allocation of funds for various works of road connectivity in the State. 4-laning of the National Highway – 1A is going on with full swing. There is no shortage of funds for this vital project. Of course, the engineers had encountered some problem in tunneling at two places in Chenani-Nashri link but it has now been surmounted. Union Government’s concern is not to be viewed only in the context of building roads to connect the borders only although that is of vital importance from security angle. 4-laning and 2-laning of National Highway and internal highways respectively have been clearly stated in the annual budget of the Union Government. Road connectivity to Ladakh through all weather projects of tunneling at Z Morh and Zoji La has also been undertaken.
In his detailed discussion with the Union Minister for Surface Transport and National Highway, the Chief Minister has demanded return of three link roads to the Sate and the reason given is that these are not well maintained. Well if the CM is satisfied that the State PWD can deliver the goods, let the trial be made. He has demanded that the Mughal Road should be declared as alternate National Highway. It is true that the Mughal Road was revived and rebuilt as the alternative to the existing National Highway – 1A though for many decades the fear lingered with the authorities that this road passed close to PoK and was vulnerable to enemy attacks. But at last, when it was decided that we should have the alternate road, the old Mughal Road was revived. It is but natural that the State Government should approach the Centre with the request that this road be declared as National Highway so that its upgrading, maintenance and repair work etc. would be taken in hand by the Union Government. This is a vital link once used by the Mughal Emperors on their visits to Kashmir. However, further survey might be necessitated to find whether any major improvement in this link should be considered like the tunnel at Pir Ki Gali. . This road will prove a life line to two districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
As regards building flyovers in Srinagar and Jammu cities, survey and study has been reportedly conducted at Master Plan scheme and a blue print is ready. But actually no step has been taken towards easing traffic congestion in two capital cities. But the question is that will building of two flyovers really solve the traffic congestion problem of the two capital cites or that much more needs to be done? In particular, Jammu city traffic presents a very disappointing picture because the lanes and streets of the city are too narrow and the number of vehicles has increased at rapid pace during past two decades. Actually, the Master Plans drawn for the two cities should be taken up for further consideration and implementation. Raising satellite cites is the solution for reducing congestion in old cities.
The overall picture of road networking and connectivity in the State is encouraging. Uniform development of road connectivity in all the three regions and especially in the backward areas of these regions is a priority with the State and the Centre and sufficient hints have been thrown that J&K will have a new roadmap once the contemplated projects or the projects in pipeline are brought to completion.
Some urgent issues connected with food position in the State were discussed by the CM with Union Food Minister. There is weight in Chief Minister’s argument that his State would not rush to implement the Food Security Act which the previous Union Government had brought in at the fag end of its tenure. According to the CM, J&K State is covered by the current PDS mechanism. In implementing the Food Security Act, which has been endorsed by Modi Government, the Chief Minister fears that entire population that comes under BPL and is covered by existing PDS. may not be covered by the Food Security Act. Even the quantity of rations provided will come down from 35 kilograms to 25 kilograms per head. He provided the Union Food Minister with statistics regarding the demand and supply of food grains for the State and indicated that the supply deficit was a cause of concern for the State Government. It will be remembered that in recent months there has been public cry against short supply of food grains in many rural parts of the State especially in Jammu region. The State at present gets 63,067 tones of food grains per month from the Centre for 18.02 lakh families as per 2000 census whereas it is distributing to 19.72 lakh families thereby resulting in a monthly shortfall of 5,953 tonnes of food grains.
We have to be realists in regard to the food supplies position in the State. If the actual implementation of Food Security Act would bring any relief to the people of the State and not discriminate any section like the BPL or others, the State Government would have taken the foremost step in implementing the Act. This, however, is not the position. And also, Chief Minister’s argument that it is difficult for the State to meet the monthly shortfall of 5,963 tonnes of food grains is very cogent and has to be accepted. The State is not in a position to substantially increase food production to meet the shortfall. The Chief Minister has rightly expressed apprehensions that in case of failure of monsoons, his State will have to bear serious brunt for which his administration shall have to gear up.
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