Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 25: The Government today said that tenders for the four- lanning of Udhampur-Chenani-Ramban and Ramban-Banihal sections of National Highway have been received by the National High Authority of India (NHAI) while Northern Railways authorities have earmarked Rs 1700 crores for Katra-Banihal section of the rail track during this financial year.
While responding to the written reply to the question of Dr B A Veeri in the Upper House today, the Minister incharge Public Works said that four lanning of Srinagar-Jammu stretch under North-South Corridor has been divided in six packages. The work on four packages was awarded in 2010 and balance two packages are yet to be awarded.
The minister disclosed that 95.3 % work on Jammu-Udhampur section of NH has been completed. The four lanning of Qazigund-Srinagar was scheduled to be completed in June 2014, however, due to land acquisition issues, floods and inadequate mobilization of funds, progress has been slow. The efforts are being made to remove the bottlenecks on Qazigund-Srinagar section of the Highway. A high level committee is also being constituted to monitor the progress on the road regularly.
Responding to another question, the Government said tenders for the stretches from Udhampur-Chenani, Nashri-Ramban and Banihal- Ramban have been received by the NHAI Headquarters and are presently under evaluation. The works are likely to be awarded soon. A complete period of 3 years for Udhampur -Chenani and Nashri -Ramban stretch and three and half year for Ramban-Banihal stretch is prescribed from the date of commencement.
The Government further disclosed that Indian Railways is committed for faster rail network in J&K. The rail connectivity between Jammu region and the Kashmir valley through Banihal tunnel provides all-weather connectivity with the rest of the country.
As per the information provided by the Director Works, Northern Railway New Delhi, an amount of Rs 1700 crore has been earmarked for Katra-Banihal section during 2015-16, it said.
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