Nitin Gadkari lays foundation for 25 national highway projects to boost tourism industry at JK

ANI |
Update: November 25, 2021 03:55 STI

Doda (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], Nov 25 (ANI): Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday that the construction of 25 national road projects in Jammu and Kashmir will boost the travel and tourism sector and also generate opportunities of employment for the inhabitants of the territory of the Union.
“The construction of these road projects will save time and fuel. New job opportunities will be created in Jammu and Kashmir, tourism in the region will be boosted and the social and economic development of the people of the region. will be accelerated, “he said. said while laying the foundation stones for 25 national highway projects in Jammu and Kashmir (JK) worth Rs 11,721 crore at Doda sports stadium.
Union Minister of State (MoS) (I / c), Ministry of Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, Ministry of Health, PMO, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, Lieutenant Governor JK, Manoj Sinha and MP Jugal Kishore Sharma also laid the groundwork for projects with Gadkari.
The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, speaking on the occasion, said that the territory of the Union of JK has “enormous tourism potential which will finally reap the benefits of future infrastructure projects. modern roads ”.
These projects will also constitute an important lifeline for the development of the industrial sector, he added.

Observing that under the leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the central government is engaged in the overall development of the Union territory, Gadkari assured that works on the road network worth Rs crore over the next two years will give a boost to the socio-economic development of JK.
Addressing the assembly, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his gratitude to the Union Minister for laying the groundwork for 25 new national road projects and for showing keen interest in the continued strengthening of road infrastructure in the region. region.
On this occasion, Sinha also secured the inclusion of six other road projects for Jammu and one project for the Kashmir division under the National Roads and Bharatmala category. The inclusion of six road projects in the Jammu division will give a massive boost to economic growth and industrial development, in addition to harnessing the tourism potential of the region.
These newly included road projects are: Kathua-Basholi-Bani-Bhaderwah-Doda (170 KM); Doda-Bhaderwah-Chamba (Himachal road) (132 KM); Dayalachak-Challan-Billawar-Mahanpur-Basohli (118 KM); Tawi Bridge-Jammu-Miran Sahib Airport-RSPura Suchetgarh (old Jammu-Sialkot road) (29 KM); Surankote-Bafliaz-Shopian-Srinagar (Mughal Route) (145 KM); Atholi (Kishtwar) -Machail-Zanskar (Kargil) road; Narabal-Tangmarg-Gulmarg-Baramulla (70 KM).

Stressing that a robust road network and modern transportation are the key to economic growth, prosperity of the region and transformation in all fields of life, the lieutenant governor said that the foundations of the projects of National highways of 11,721 crore laid by Union Road Transport and Ministry of Roads and seven new projects will pave the way for JK’s sustainable development.
“The new mega-roads projects will open up new livelihoods for the local population and improve tourism and business activities, in addition to strengthening the strategic network by ensuring connectivity in all weathers,” he added.
Sinha said that the 25 national road projects will connect all the villages of Udhampur, Doda, Jammu, Kathua, thereby raising thousands of small and large businesses.
“I am convinced that these projects will prove to be an economic lifeline and highways of progress and prosperity for the Jammu Division,” he observed.
Sinha said that after the repeal of Section 370 in 2019, the execution of new roads, tunnels and other basic infrastructure got a huge boost to ensure the overall development of JK under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also noted that the progress of new road construction has been doubled across the JK under the leadership of Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.
Noting that the roads are now being built at twice the speed of before, Sinha said there has been a drastic change in his progress under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. “Last year 2,402 km of road were built under PMGSY in Jammu Division. As of August 2019, including October 2021 figures, 3,885 km of road have been built under PMGSY in Jammu Division alone. . 109 projects were completed in the Jammu division at a cost of Rs 455 crore, including 14 bridges. Apart from that, 9 bridges worth Rs 19 crore were completed under various other programs, “he said. he added.
The Lieutenant Governor said that developing infrastructure and raising the standard of living of the common man is an important part of the overall economic priorities of the Government of India and the J&K UT Government. “Now the road paving is also happening at double or triple speed compared to before. In 2019 2290 km of road were paved, while last year 5136 km of road were paved. This year , a tarmac target of 8000 km of road has been drawn, “he added.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr Jitendra Singh also addressed the assembly and said that it is the historic day for the Chenab region that 25 new NH projects are being launched. He said that the central government has drawn up a separate road map for the development of the territory of the Union and to accelerate the development scenario, new bridges, roads, tunnels are being built on the war footing involving thousands of crores .
He said the Center pays special attention to areas that have been neglected over the past seven decades by early political parties. He said the current waiver has established a new political culture by executing projects according to the demands and demands of the people to ensure equitable and inclusive development in Jammu and Kashmir.
(ANI)