JAMMU: The PDP-led Jammu and Kashmir government today demanded that the Centre should declare Mughal Road, which connects Kashmir with Jammu region, as a National Highway.
“We have raised the issue of declaration of Mughal Road and other major roads of the state as National Highways with the Central government”, Minister for Road & Buildings, Gardens, Parks and Floriculture Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari told PTI.
The 84 km-long Mughal Road, which connects Poonch district of Jammu region with Shopian district of Kashmir Valley, is considered to be an alternative to Jammu-Srinagar National highway.
The construction of Moghal road had started during the previous Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed led PDP-Congress government in 2004 and is now trafficable.
Bukhari yesterday met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and raised the issue related to the road communication sector in the state.
He also raised the issue of construction of tunnels on various routes, including Peer Ki Gali tunnel on Mughal Road, Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel, Lolab-Bandipora tunnel and the Sudh-Mahadev tunnel connecting Marmath of Doda district.
The proposals for the construction of these tunnels have already been submitted to the Union Government, Bukhari said adding that “Gadkari assured that the union ministry for Road Transport and Highways will examine these proposals”.
Underlining the urgency of better road connectivity in the state which is a mosaic of geographical diversity, hilly and inaccessible terrains, remoteness of areas and weather vagaries, Bukhari highlighted the importance of this sector for overall development and economic welfare of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister, while emphasizing the need for early completion of 4-lane Jammu-Srinagar National Highway Project, also laid stress on up-gradation and improvement of the existing portion.–PTI
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