CM pushes for swift restoration of Sgr-Jmu NH
Udhampur, Sep 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday called for immediate restoration of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and pined hopes on getting a handsome package from the Centre.
Visiting the affected stretch of the highway at Thard in Udhampur to take stock of the ongoing restoration works, CM Omar directed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to expedite the restoration process to ease the movement of commuters and the people.
He instructed the executing agencies to mobilise additional men and machinery to ensure timely completion, underlining that safe and smooth road connectivity was a priority of the government.
Later, the CM interacted with locals at Thard and listened to their grievances.
He told them that the government was making every possible effort to fully restore the highway at the earliest and provide necessary relief to both commuters and the people.
During the visit, Regional Officer J&K NHAI, R S Yadav, briefed the CM about the progress of works including widening, metalling, and restoration of the second tube of NH-44.
He also apprised CM Omar of the current single-lane traffic arrangements in place to manage vehicular movement.
Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana; MLA Chenani, Balwant Singh Mankotia; Deputy Commissioner (DC) Udhampur, Saloni Rai; SSP Udhampur, Amod Ashok Nagpure and SSP Traffic, Adil Hamid accompanied the CM.
CM VISITS POONCH, ANNOUNCES RS 38 LAKH RELIEF FOR LAND SUBSIDENCE AFFECTED FAMILIES
CM Omar also visited Kalaban in Poonch district to take stock of the damage caused by land subsidence in the area.
He inspected the affected site and obtained a firsthand appraisal of the situation.
The CM interacted with the locals and affected families, assuring them of all possible support from the government.
To provide immediate relief, he sanctioned Rs 38 lakh for the affected families in addition to the Rs 50 lakh already sanctioned under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
He said that it was the government’s duty to extend maximum possible assistance to the people during such difficult times.
During his interactions, CM Omar said that the government stands firmly with the affected families and would ensure all necessary measures for their rehabilitation.
Highlighting the broader impact of this year’s heavy rains across J&K, he said that almost every district had suffered damage to infrastructure and private property.
The CM said that the government had been extending all possible help to the people and that a central team had recently visited J&K to assess the losses.
He expressed hope for a relief package for Jammu and Kashmir on the pattern of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
CM Omar was accompanied by Minister for Jal Shakti, Forests and Tribal Affairs, Javed Rana, Deputy Commissioner Poonch, and other senior officers.
