Army does not harass civil movement on Sgr-Jmu National Highway: Defence Ministry

Srinagar, Nov 29: The Ministry of Defence Government of India (GoI) on Friday said that the Army does not harass or stop any civil movement on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

Replying to a query raised by the National Conference (NC) Member Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, the Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of Defence, said that the charter of civilian traffic regulation was of the state authorities and Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP).

"Ambulances are always accorded priority for movement and they are not stopped anywhere by security forces," the MoS defence Sanjay Seth informed the Parliament during the ongoing session.

Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi had raised a query that whether it was a fact that the traffic on the highway is stopped multiple times at multiple places at every few kilometres for the army or paramilitary movement on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

He had also sought the details along with the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to stop "this humiliating" practice which also "violates human rights."

"As part of the drill, regular movement of convoys takes place between Jammu and Srinagar for various operational as well as administrative reasons. The Indian Army follows detailed procedures for the movement of convoys with due emphasis on friendly movement of the populace," the MoS defence in his reply said.

He said that Road Opening Parties (ROPs) are sent out prior to the movement of any Security Forces Convoy owing to security reasons and to thwart incidents like "attack, ambush of a convoy in the past."

"The Indian Army does not harass or stop any civil movement on the National Highway as the charter of civilian traffic regulation is of the State authorities/Jammu and Kashmir Police," the Minister in his reply said.

He further said that the traffic is regulated, temporarily, particularly at points where laterals meet the NH 44 and at U-Turns, during the movement of the Army and CAPF convoys.

To a separate query raised by National Conference MP for south Kashmir Mian Altaf Ahmad, the MoS defence department said that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) has taken up development of 168 km length of Akhnoor-Poonch Highway of NH-144A to 2-lane-with paved shoulder configuration including four tunnels (involving about 4.85 km length) in eight construction packages.

"Border Roads Organization (BRO) is the executing agency for this project. So far about 83 km length has been constructed. These works are targeted for completion in a phased manner between 2025 and 2027," the minister replied.

MP Mian Altaf Ahmad raised a query if the construction work of strategically located 220 km Jammu-Poonch highway was going on at a sluggish pace and badly affecting the general public of Hilly districts of Rajouri and Poonch.

"National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has taken up development of 30 km stretch of NH-144A between Jammu and Akhnoor in four construction packages. So far work on 5.2 km length has been completed. Works in remaining three packages are targeted for completion by March 2026," the written reply reads.

It further reads that both BRO and NHIDCL ensure regular maintenance of the highway in traffic worthy conditions for safe movement of vehicles and commuters including the general public of districts of Rajouri and Poonch.

"The steps taken by BRO towards implementation of the project without further delays include regular follow ups and close coordination with concerned departments and authorities of the Union Territory (UT) on outstanding issues," the reply reads.

It further reads that the MoRT&H also "closely monitors" various issues affecting completion of these projects which include land acquisition, encroachment removal, law and order issues, utility shifting, various clearances and contractual issues with all stakeholders including UT Government.

"Regular meetings with concerned UT officials at local, district, UT level are held as per requirements based on the criticality of the issues," the minister in his reply said.