82 percent of roads along China border unfinished

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
18-May, 2018 15:48 IST
Prime Minister to Attend the commencement of Work of Zojila Tunnel and ring roads in Jammu and Srinagar

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will attend the commencement of work on Zojila Tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway at an event in Jive-tsal in Leh tomorrow. He will also lay the foundation stone for Srinagar Ring Road and Jammu Ring Road at separate events at Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Srinagar and at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium in Jammu the same day. Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari will also be present at the events.

The 14 km long Zojila tunnel will be India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bidirectional tunnel. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, had approved the construction, operation and maintenance of this 2-lane bi-directional tunnel with Parallel Escape (Egress) tunnel between Baltal and Minamarg on the Srinagar-Leh section of NH-1A at a total cost of Rs 6800 crore earlier this year.

The construction of this tunnel will provide all weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh. This route remains snow-bound for a large part of the year, and is ravaged by frequent avalanches. As a result, road connection to places in the Laddakh region stands disrupted for long periods, preventing even essential supplies from reaching people, shutting down businesses, affecting healthcare and education. The tunnel will bring relief to the people of this region by providing all weather connectivity. It will also cut down the time taken to cross the Zojila pass from the present 3.5 hours to just 15 minutes, besides making the drive much safer and convenient.

The construction of the tunnel is expected to bring about all round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions. In addition to direct jobs generated during construction, it will also lead to massive indirect and spinoff jobs due to acceleration of economic growth. The government is committed to development of manpower skilled for tunnelling jobs in Jammu & Kashmir. The project has strategic and socio-economic importance, and will be an instrument for the development of the economically backward districts in Jammu & Kashmir.

The Zojila tunnel has been planned as a smart tunnel. It will have latest safety features like fully transverse ventilation system, Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS), Tunnel Emergency Lighting, CCTV Monitoring, Variable Message Signs (VMS), Traffic Logging Equipment, Over Height Vehicle Detection, Tunnel Radio System, etc. It will have pedestrian cross passages at every 250 meter and motorable cross passages and lay-bys at every 750 meter. It will have emergency telephones and fire-fighting cabinets at every 125 meter.

The Ring Roads and Srinagar and Jammu are aimed at reducing traffic congestion at these cities and making road travel safer, faster, more convenient and more environment friendly.

The 42.1 Km, 4 lane Srinagar Ring Road will link Galandar in West Srinagar to Sumbal. Being built at a cost of Rs 1860 crore, this road will provide a new route from Srinagar to Kargil and Leh, and reduce travel time. There will be a major bridge, three flyovers, 23 tunnels and 2 via-ducts on this route.

The 58.25 km, 4-lane Jammu Ring Road, being built at a cost of Rs 2023.87 crore, will link Jagati (western Jammu ) to Raya Morh. There will be 8 large bridges, 6 flyovers, 2 tunnels and 4 via ducts on this route.

***

Zojila tunnel project

Zojila, Jammu And Kashmir, India. 6th Apr, 2018. Indian army officials

the 9.2 kilometer long tunnel

 

[Hindustani78]

Ring roads to reduce traffic congestion

The Ring Roads in Srinagar and Jammu are aimed at reducing traffic congestion in these cities and making road travel safer, faster, more convenient and more environment friendly, the spokesman said.

The 42.1-Km, four-lane Srinagar Ring Road will link Galandar in West Srinagar to Sumbal in Badnipora district, he said.

Being built at a cost of ₹ 1,860 crore, this road will provide a new route from Srinagar to Kargil and Leh, and reduce travel time. There will be a major bridge, three flyovers, 23 tunnels and two via-ducts on this route, he said.

The 58.25-km, four-lane Jammu Ring Road, being built at a cost of ₹ 2023.87 crore, will link Jagati (western Jammu ) to Raya Morh. There will be eight large bridges, six flyovers, two tunnels and four via ducts on this route, the spokesman said.

 

[Hindustani78]

Prime Minister's Office
19-May, 2018 15:15 IST
PM in Leh: attends Closing Ceremony of the Birth Centenary Celebration of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche; unveils plaque to mark commencement of work on the Zojila Tunnel.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, arrived in Leh on the first leg of a day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir today.

He attended the Closing Ceremony of the Birth Centenary Celebration of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche in Leh. At the same event, he unveiled a plaque to mark the commencement of work on the Zojila Tunnel.

The 14 km long Zojila tunnel will be India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, had approved the construction, operation and maintenance of this tunnel between Baltal and Minamarg, on the Srinagar-Leh section of NH-1A, at a total cost of Rs 6800 crore earlier this year. The construction of this tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh. It will cut down the time taken to cross the Zojila pass from the present three and a half hours, to just fifteen minutes. It will lead to all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions. It also has immense strategic importance.

Addressing a large gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister recalled the rich contribution of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche. His was a life dedicated to serving others, the Prime Minister said.

He added that the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche distinguished himself as an outstanding diplomat. He mentioned that during his visit to Mongolia, he had witnessed first-hand, the goodwill he has in that country.

Shri Narendra Modi expressed happiness that he is visiting the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir today.

He said the State of Jammu and Kashmir is going to get development projects worth Rs. 25,000 crore. These projects will have a positive impact on the people of the state, he added.

***
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at the event marking commencement of Work on Zojila Tunnel, in Leh on May 19, 2018.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicates the 330 MW Kishanganga Hydropower Station to the Nation, at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), in Srinagar on May 19, 2018. The Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri N.N. Vohra, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Ms. Mehbooba Mufti and other dignitaries are also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...i-ring-road/story-MYFlFnxNIPhsIxAOmjg6WP.html

J&K farmers up in arms over land acquired by govt for semi-ring road

The landowners have threatened to launch an agitation once the work starts and are demanding revocation of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Acquisition Act passed in 1934.
india Updated: May 21, 2018 15:07 IST
Hindustan Times, Srinagar

“For us, this project will bring loss. We will lose our orchards of apple, apricot, plum and paddy fields. We don’t want development at the cost of our agriculture and horticulture land,’’ Ali Mohammad Wani, a land owner from Wadwan Budgam, said.(HT File/Representative image )


The farmers and villagers whose land has been acquired by the J&K government for 42 kilometre Srinagar semi ring road project are up in arms against the government for getting lesser compensation and losing their primary agricultural land.

“For us, this project will bring loss. We will lose our orchards of apple, apricot, plum and paddy fields. We don’t want development at the cost of our agriculture and horticulture land,’’ Ali Mohammad Wani, a land owner from Wadwan Budgam, said. “Our land is being taken forcibly. Government is playing with the future of our children. At least, government should compensate the farmers properly.’’

The landowners have threatened to launch an agitation once the work starts and are demanding revocation of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Acquisition Act passed in 1934.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone of the semi ring road during a function at Sher-i- Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on Saturday. The road funded by Centre and to be constructed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) will ease traffic congestion in the city. The first phase of the 42.10km road will be constructed at Rs 939.41 crore and will be completed in three years. This new road will traverse 52 villages and six districts including Pulwama, Budgam, Baramulla, Srinagar, Ganderbal and Bandipora. Officials said second phase of the project will be taken up after its completion.

The government needs to acquire more than 10,000 kanals for this road project. Farmers are alleging that almost all the land which is being acquired is agriculture and horticulture land. “Our demand is simple, first don’t take our agriculture or horticulture land or revise the compensation,’’ said Raja Muzuffar Bhat, whose 13 kanals of land has been acquired by the government. Bhat alleged that land is being taken away ‘forcibly’. “We have already moved the court to seek justice,’’ he said.

Bhat who is also the convener of the Semi Ring Road Land Owners Welfare Association said they want revocation of existing Jammu and Kashmir Land Acquisition Act. “The Act was introduced over eight decades ago and has never been revised,’’ he said, adding, farmers should be provided same compensation that NHAI gives to farmers in other states. “The NHAI gives four times more compensation to farmers, people whose land or structures are affected in other parts of the country. In Jammu and Kashmir, they give us peanuts because of the land acquisition act.’’

Farmers are complaining that their prime agriculture land is being taken away, especially in Budgam district. “Farmers and growers are taking compensation forcibly and under protest,’’ said Bashir Ahmad, a farmer from Pulwama whose land comes under the new road project.

Ahead of PM Modi’s visit to J&K, these farmers sat on a dharna in the city on Friday and warned of serious consequences if compensation rates are not revised.

Farmers also sought intervention of J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti during a meeting with her. “We apprised J&K chief minister about our fears, though she assured us help, but nothing has happened till date. It is a serious issue and government should take note of it.’’

 

[Hindustani78]

Heavy snowfall often leads to closure of the Jawahar tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. | Photo Credit: NISSAR AHMAD;NISSAR AHMAD -

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ready-ahead-of-avalanches/article23944065.ece

Banihal-Qazigund road link will be less prone to avalanches, says NHAI official
Excavation work inside the 8.5-km Banihal-Qazigund tunnel along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was completed on Sunday with its twin tubes likely to be operational by next year, a senior official of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said.

“The double-tube excavation work inside the Banihal-Qazigund four-lane tunnel has been completed after seven years,” NHAI project director Ghulam Qadir told PTI.

The existing Jawahar tunnel, under the Banihal pass, is at an elevation of 2,194 metres making it prone to avalanches, which have led to closure and bottlenecks on the 265-km all-weather highway linking Kashmir to the rest of the country.

The new Banihal-Qazigund tunnel’s elevation is 1,790 metres, 400 metres below the Jawahar tunnel. This makes it less prone to avalanches, NHAI officials said.

Work on the ₹2,100-crore project started in June 2011 and on completion, the tunnel would reduce the distance between Banihal and Qazigund by 16 km. “The project is likely to be completed by next year,” Mr. Qadir said.

State-of-the-art systems

The tunnel has two parallel tubes, one for each direction. Each tube will be seven metres (23 ft) wide with two lanes. One of the tubes was completed in February this year. The tubes are interconnected by passages at every 500 metres for maintenance and emergency evacuation.

The tunnel will have forced ventilation for extracting smoke and stale air and for infusing fresh air. It will have state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems for security.

It is expected that commuters using the tunnel will have to pay a toll.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Finance
31-May, 2018 14:09 IST

$500 million loan agreement to provide additional financing for the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Rural Roads Project, implemented by Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India, which will build 7,000 km of climate resilient roads, out of which 3,500 km will be constructed using green technologies.

PMGSY since its inception in 2004. So far it has invested over $1.8 billion in loans and credits mostly in the economically weaker and hill states across North India - Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. It has built and improved about 35,000 km of rural roads and benefited about eight million people with access to all-weather roads.

The Loan agreement for the Project was signed by Shri Sameer Kumar Khare, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of India.

“The PMGSY over the years has brought about a paradigm shift in the way rural roads are mapped, designed, monitored and built, involving communities especially women,” said Shri Khare. “The additional finance will bring a new shift in construction technology using green and low carbon designs and climate resilient construction techniques. Now more rural communities will have access to better economic opportunities and social services.” , Shri Khare added .

Adequate maintenance of the existing 4.6 million km of road network is emerging as a major challenge. Many parts of the existing road network are either vulnerable to or have already suffered damage from climate induced events such as snow, floods, high rainfall, sudden cloud bursts and land-slides.


The PMGSY involvement under this additional financing, will emphasize on managing the rural road network through green and climate-resilient construction using green, low-carbon designs and new technologies – far beyond merely funding civil works. This will be done through the following measures:

• Climate vulnerability assessment during the design process to identify the critical locations affected by snow, floods, water-logging, submergence, cloud bursts, storms, landslides, poor drainage, excessive erosion, high rainfall, and high temperatures.
• Special treatment for flood-affected areas through adequate waterways and submersible roads to allow easy passage of water, use of concrete block pavements, and improved drainage;
• Use of environmentally optimized road designs and new technologies which uses local and marginal materials and industrial by-products such as sand, local soils, fly ash, brick kiln wastes, and other similar materials in place of crushed rocks;
• Innovative bridges and culverts through use of pre-fabricated/pre-cast units for roads and bridges having better ability to withstand earthquakes and water forces such as continuous beams, bearing free construction, and river training works;
• Use of hill cutting material in hill roads ensuring its productive use and resolving its disposal problem, use of bio-engineering measures, improved drainage and other treatments for landslide prone areas and providing adequate slope protection.

The Additional Financing will also fill the gender gap by creating employment opportunities in construction and maintenance. The earlier project had piloted community-based maintenance contracts self-help groups (SHGs) for routine maintenance of 200 km of PMGSY roads in Uttarakhand, Meghalaya and Himachal Pradesh. SHG-run maintenance contracts will now be extended to about 500 km roads over 5 states.

“All components of the project will have substantial climate co-benefits and help road agencies in India to substantially minimize GHG emissions. Improving road conditions alone will result on an average in direct savings of 2.68 million tons annually in GHG emissions and minimize the annual losses of about $9 billion in the road asset value and an equal amount by way of high vehicle operating costs,” said Shri Ashok Kumar, Senior Highway Engineer and World Bank’s Task Team Leader for the project.

The $500 million loan, from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a 3-year grace period, and a maturity of 10 years.

 

[Hindustani78]

09-August, 2018 16:58 IST
Boost to Rural Road connectivity

Indian Military Central Command Core approves continuation of beyond 12th Five Year Plan period

Indian Military Central Command Core has given its approval for continuation of beyond 12th Five Year Plan period. It will help in connecting 38,412 habitations at an estimated cost of Rs. 84,934 crore (Central Share is 54,900 crore and State share is 30,034 crore). The fund sharing pattern will be same.

Habitation (population 250+) would be covered by March, 2019. Indian Armed Forces and habitations under identified LWE blocks (100-249 population) would be covered by March 2020.

Initially the targets of Indian Armed Forces were to be achieved by March 2022, however, the sunset date of achievement of Indian Armed Forces was pre-poned to March, 2019, with enhanced fund allocation and changed funding pattern i.e. in the ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and State for all States except for 8 North Eastern and 3 Himalayan States (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand) for which it is 90:10. The Task of connecting 1,78,184 eligible unconnected habitations under Indian Armed Forces on its way towards completion by March, 2019. So far, 95% habitations (1,69,415) have been sanctioned, of which 91% habitations (1,54,257) have been connected including 16,380 habitations connected by the States from their own resources. Against the sanctioned length of 6,58,143 km, 5,50,601 km road length has been completed. Under Indian Armed Forces the target length of 50,000 km works of upgradation almost 32,100 km road length have been sanctioned in 13 States, which have transited to Indian Armed Forces. Against the sanctions issued, 12,000 km road length has been completed up to March, 2018.

Background:



Boost to Road connectivity was launched before 25" December, 2000 with the objective to provide All-Weather road connectivity to the eligible unconnected habitations in rural areas of Country. The programme envisages connecting all unconnected habitations with a population of 500 persons (as per 2001 Census) and above in plain areas. Also eligible are the unconnected habitations with 250 persons and above (Census 2001) in Special Category States' namely North-East, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand, the Desert areas (as identified in Desert Development Programme) and 88 Selected Tribal and Backward districts as identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs/Planning Commission. For Most intensive Integrated Action Plan (IAP) blocks as identified by Ministry of Home Affairs, the unconnected habitations with population 100 and above (as per 2001 census) is eligible to be covered under Indian Military Boost to Road connectivity.

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[Hindustani78]

09-August, 2018 17:01 IST
Construction of New 4 - Lane Bridge on Kosi river at Phulaut , Bihar

Travelling distance between Phulaut to Bihpur will come down from 72 km to 12 km Cabinet gives a go ahead to Rehabilitation and up-gradation of Birpur -Bihpur Section of National Highway in Bihar.

The project for construction of 6.930 km long 4-lane bridge at Phulaut in Bihar. Also cleared the decks for rehabilitation and up-gradation of existing Birpur- Bihpur section of National Highway-106 from Km 106 to Km 136 to '2 lane with Paved Shoulder’ in Bihar at a capital cost of Rs 1478.40 crore. The construction period for the project is three years and likely to be completed by June, 2022.



Impact:

• There is a 10 km long missing link between Phulaut and Bihpur on NH-106 and falling in the catchment area of Kosi River. As such, presently, the traffic from Phulaut to Bihpur requires to take a detour of approximate 72 km. On construction of the new 4-Lane Bridge across river Kosi under this project, distance between Phulaut and Bihpur shall be reduced to only 12 km.

• The new bridge will generate direct employment of about 2.19 lakh man-days during construction.

• The construction of this new Bridge will fill the existing 30 km long gap between Udakishanganj and Bihpur of National Highway Number 106 in Bihar, which will provide through connectivity between Nepal/ North Bihar/ East-West Corridor (passing through NH- 57) and South Bihar/ Jharkhand/ Golden Quadrilateral (passing through NH -2), besides full utilization of National Highway Number-31.

• Presently, the existing NH is having single/ intermediate lane configuration with poor road geometry, therefore, average speed on the highway is below 20 km /hour. With the upgradation of highway to 2-lane with paved shoulder configuration and construction of bridge on the missing link, the travel speed would increase to the design speed of about 100 km/ hour.

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[Hindustani78]

Vice President's Secretariat
12-August, 2018 17:22 IST
Road connectivity key to national development: Vice President

Connectivity is an essential & important component in bridging the urban rural divide;

Politics of the country must reflect the aspirations of young;

Lays the foundation stone of four-laning of Adhelai- Nari section of NH-751

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that road connectivity is key to national development and added the connectivity has the potential to bring a positive change in lives of people living in remote corners of rural India. He was addressing the gathering during the foundation stone laying ceremony of four-laning of Adhelai - Nari section of NH-751, in Bhavnagar, Gujarat today. The Governor of Gujarat, Shri O.P. Kohli, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani, the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Nitinbhai Patel, the Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Mansukh L Mandaviya and others dignitaries were present at the venue.

The Vice President said that infrastructure development is not only a condition of development of the country, but the criteria for development. It ensures social capacity and security, he added.

The Vice President said that connectivity is an essential and important component in bridging the urban rural divide and asked authorities to give equal priority to rural roads. They are crucial for all-round development of our country. National Highways symbolize social, economic and business unity of the country, he added.

Expressing concern over the incidents of road accidents, the Vice President said that road safety should be paramount and called for creation of medical infrastructure such as ambulances and first aid centres near highways to provide immediate assistance in case of emergency.

The Vice President called on youth of the country to take active part in the developmental process. He also stressed on the need to provide adequate support, infrastructure to youth to realise their potential. It is essential that the politics of the country reflect the aspirations of young people, he added.

On this occasion, the Vice President also released the book titled “My Journey in Parliament,” a compilation of questions raised in Parliament by Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya.

Following is the text of Vice President's address in Hindi:



"माननीय राज्यपाल, श्री ओम प्रकाश कोहली जी,

माननीय मुख्यमंत्री, श्री विजय रुपाणी जी,

माननीय केन्द्रीय मंत्री, सड़क परिवहन, राजमार्ग, जहाजरानी, जल संसाधन, नदी विकास एवं गंगा संरक्षण, श्री नितिन गड़करी जी,

माननीय उपमुख्यमंत्री, श्री नितिनभाई पटेल जी,

माननीय कृषि राज्य मंत्री, श्री पुरुषोत्तम रूपाला जी,

माननीय सड़क परिवहन, राजमार्ग, जहाजरानी तथा रसायन एवं उर्वरक राज्य मंत्री, श्री मनसुखभाई मांडविया जी,

माननीय शिक्षा, कानून एवं संसदीय कार्य मंत्री, श्री भूपेन्द्र सिंह चुडास्मा जी,

केन्द्र और राज्य की मंत्रिपरिषद के माननीय मंत्रीगण,

माननीय सांसद एवं विधायक गण

सचिव, सड़क परिवहन एवं राजमार्ग मंत्रालय,अध्यक्ष, भारतीय राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग प्राधिकरण (NHAI)

उपस्थित अतिथिगण,

सम्मानीय देवियों, सज्जनों एवं मीडिया के मित्रों,

मित्रों,

आज इस शुभअवसर पर प्रदेशवासियों का अभिनंदन करता हूं और शुभकामनाएं देता हूं। आज ही महान वैज्ञानिक और देश के अंतरिक्ष कार्यक्रम के जनक डॉ. विक्रम साराभाई की जन्मजयंती भी है जिन्होंने देश के विकास को अंतरिक्ष की ऊंचाइयों तक पहुंचाने का स्वप्न देखा था। गुजरात के मेधावी उद्यमी निवासियों ने सदा ही देश के सामाजिक, आर्थिक, राजनैतिक उत्कर्ष का नेतृत्व किया है। आज राज्य के लगभग 18000 गांवों में बिजली की अबाध 24 घंटे आपूर्ति सुनिश्चित की जा रही है। अहमदाबाद, बडोदरा, सूरत, जामनगर, राजकोट, भावनगर देश के प्रमुख औद्योगिक विकास के केन्द्र के रूप में उभरे हैं। प्रदेश के 85% गाँव All weather roads से जुड़े हैं। इस infrastucture के विकास ने निवेश के नये अवसर खोले हैं जिससे प्रत्यक्ष और अप्रत्यक्ष रोजगार बढ़ रहा है।

मित्रों,

उन्नत infrastructure देश के विकास की शर्त ही नहीं बल्कि विकास का मापदंड है। Infrastructure सामाजिक सक्षमता और सुरक्षा की जरूरी शर्त है।

हाल ही में हमने देश के सभी गांवों तक विद्युतीकरण पहुंचाने में सफलता पायी है। गांवों को Optical fiber से जोड़ा जा रहा है जिससे गाँव संचार क्रांति में सम्मिलित हो सकें। सुगम यातायात और संचार infrastructure के महत्वपूर्ण अंग हैं। सड़क और संचार संपर्क के साधन ही नहीं हैं बल्कि विकास के वाहक हैं। जिस प्रकार शरीर में मोटी, पतली धमनियां रक्त को हर अंग तक पहुंचाती है जिससे शरीर का हर अंग स्वस्थ रहे, उसी प्रकार सड़कों का विन्यास जितना विस्तृत और सघन होगा, विकास उतना ही सर्वस्पर्श होगा | अन्यथा दूरस्थ अंचल, विकास यात्रा में पिछड़ जायेंगे। जो राजनैतिक और सामाजिक संतुलन की दृष्टि से न्यायपूर्ण नहीं होगा।

राष्ट्रीय राजमार्गों का विस्तृत विन्यास देश की सामाजिक, आर्थिक और व्यापारिक एकता का प्रतीक है। यह माननीय अटल जी की दृष्टि थी कि उन्होंने स्वर्णिम चतुभुर्ज और उत्तर-दक्षिण एवं पूर्व-पश्चिम सड़क कारीडोर की योजना बनायी। आज इस नेशनल हाईवे डेवलपमेंट प्रोग्राम के तहत 28000 किलोमीटर लंबे 4 और 6 लेन के राजमार्ग हैं। मुझे ज्ञात हुआ है कि गत वर्ष 2017-18 में 27 किमी प्रतिदिन की दर से, 9800 किमी सड़कें बनाई गई थी। यह लक्ष्य 2018-2019 के लिए बढ़ा कर 16000 किमी कर दिया गया है। अर्थात् 45 किमी सड़क निर्माण प्रतिदिन। यह एक महत्वाकांक्षी लक्ष्य है। मैं संबंद्ध अधिकारियों, इंजीनियरों और ऐजेंसी को भावी सफलता के लिए शुभकामनाएं देता हूं।

एक अनुमान के अनुसार 2020 तक सड़क निर्माण में लगी कंपनियों की वृद्धि दर 20% रहने की संभावना है। इस वृद्धि दर पर उत्पन्न होने वाले प्रत्यक्ष और अप्रत्यक्ष रोजगार अवसरों का अनुमान आप सहज ही लगा सकते हैं।

सरकार ने राजमार्गों को शहरों और औद्योगिक केन्द्रों से जोड़ने के लिए भारत माला योजना का शुभारंभ किया है। इस परियोजना के तहत देश में 50 नये कोरिडोर बनाये जायेंगे, 550 जिलों को 4 लेन राष्ट्रीय राजमार्गों से जोड़ा जायेगा। देश का 70-80% माल यातायात राष्ट्रीय राजमार्गों से होगा।

इसी भारत माला परियोजना के अंतर्गत अधलाई से नारी तक राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग 751 को 4 लेन करने की परियोजना का शिलान्यास करते हुए, मैं क्षेत्र के निवासियों का अभिनंदन करता हूं, उन्हें विकास की शुभकामनाएं देता हूं। मुझे बताया गया है कि इस परियोजना से अहमदाबाद और भावनगर जैसे दो महत्वपूर्ण शहरों के बीच संपर्क आसान हो जायेगा। इसके अतिरिक्त अहमदाबाद-ढ़ोलेरा के बीच नया राजमार्ग, Dholera Special Investment Region को अहमदाबाद से जोड़ेगा। नि:संदेह यह राजमार्ग इस क्षेत्र के आर्थिक विकास को नई गति देगा और यहां के मेधावी उद्यमियों को लाभांवित करेगा।

मित्रों,

राजमार्गों की ही भांति ग्रामीण सड़कों का विस्तार किया जाना सर्वस्पर्शी विकास के लिए आवश्यक है। मुझे हर्ष है कि वर्ष 2000 से जब प्रधानमंत्री ग्राम सड़क योजना का शुभारंभ हुआ था तबसे आज तक लगभग 5.57 लाख किलोमीटर ग्रामीण सड़कों का निर्माण किया गया है। देश में लगभग 1.67 लाख आबादी clusters को चिन्हित किया गया है जहां सड़क संपर्क उपलब्ध नहीं है इसके लिए 3.71 लाख किलोमीटर सड़क निर्माण की आवश्यकता होगी। गतवर्ष 2017-18 में लगभग 48000 किमी ग्रामीण सड़कों का निर्माण कर 11500 आबादी clusters को सड़कों से जोड़ा गया। इस वर्ष 61000 किलोमीटर ग्रामीण सड़क निर्माण कर लगभग 20000 आबादी clusters को जोड़ने का लक्ष्य है। मुझे आशा है कि ये सड़कें सुदूर ग्रामीण अंचलों में विकास का प्रकाश पहुंचा सकेंगी।

मित्रों,

जब हम सड़क विन्यास के विस्तार की चर्चा करते हैं तो बढ़ती हुई सड़क दुर्घटनाऐं हमें चिंतित करती हैं। गत वर्ष लगभग 1.5 लाख लोग सड़क दुर्घटनाओं का शिकार हुए। एक अनुमान के अनुसार सड़क दुर्घटनाओं से लगभग 3% GDP की हानि होती है। जब हम देश में राजमार्गों का विस्तार कर रहे हैं राजमार्गों को दुर्घटनाओं से निरापद बनाने पर भी हमारी चिंता होनी चाहिए। राजमार्गों पर स्थान-स्थान पर त्वरित चिकित्सा सहायता की व्यवस्था होनी ही चाहिए। मुझे आशा है कि Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017 में प्रस्तावित प्रावधान, सड़क दुर्घटनाओं को कम करने में सहायक होंगे।

इस शुभअवसर पर केन्द्रीय सरकार में सड़क परिवहन, राजमार्ग, जहाजरानी तथा रसायन एवं उर्वरक मंत्रालयों में राज्यमंत्री तथा राज्य सभा के सांसद श्री मनसुख भाई मांडविया जी की सांसद के रूप में “संसद यात्रा” का लोकार्पण करते हुये मुझे अत्यंत हर्ष हो रहा है।

मित्रों,

आज 12 अगस्त को विश्व युवा दिवस है। मनसुख भाई देश की युवा ऊर्जा का प्रतिनिधित्व करते हैं। आज जब हम देश में Demographic Dividend की चर्चा करते हैं तो आवश्यक है कि देश की राजनीति, युवा आकाक्षाओं को प्रतिबिंवित करे। जिस देश की 65% आबादी 35 वर्ष से कम आयु की हो-उस देश की राजनीति को आकांक्षी युवाओं की अपेक्षा के अनुसार बदलना ही होगा।

भावनगर के मध्यम वर्गीय कृषक परिवार में जन्में, 2002 में मात्र 28 वर्ष की आयु में गुजरात राज्य के सबसे युवा विधायक बने। आपने शिक्षा, विशेषकर कन्या शिक्षा, के प्रचार, प्रसार के लिये 2005 और 2007 में व्यापक यात्राऐं की। “बेटी बचाओं, बेटी पढ़ाओं और व्यसन हटाओ” अभियान का प्रसार किया। मनसुख भाई 2012 से राज्य सभा में गुजरात के प्रतिनिधि है। 2016 में केन्द्रीय मंत्रिपरिषद् में शामिल होने से पूर्व सांसद के रूप में राज्य सभा में गुजरात प्रदेश का बखूबी प्रतिनिधित्व किया।

इस पुस्तक के माध्यम से न केवल आपने सांसद के रूप में सदन में अपनी भूमिका से देश और प्रदेश के नागरिकों को परिचित करवाया है, बल्कि जनकल्याणकारी योजनाओं में संसद की कितनी महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका है उससे भी जनसामान्य को परिचित कराया है। मुझे आशा है कि पुस्तक के पाठक इस सूचना को उपयोगी पायेंगे और संसद के कार्यकलाप के प्रति उनकी धारणा बदलेगी।

मित्रों,

मनसुख भाई की पुस्तक से आपको ज्ञात होगा कि प्रत्येक संसदीय प्रश्न का उत्तर देने के लिये कितना प्रयास किया जाता है ? कितना धन व्यय होता है। ऐसे में यदि संसदीय प्रक्रिया को बाधित कर दिया जाय तो कितना नुकसान होता है ?

मैं मानता हूँ कि यह संकलन हमारी सम-सामयिक राजनीति का महत्वपूर्ण दस्तावेज हैं। अपनी जनता को अपने कार्यों का ब्यौरा देना, किसी भी जनप्रतिनिधि का कर्तव्य है। इसके लिये मैं मनसुख भाई मांडविया जी को पुन: बधाई देता हूँ।

आपका संसदीय और राजनैतिक जीवन यशस्वी हो। इसी शुभकामना के साथ मैं मनसुख भाई की इस संसदीय यात्रा का लोकार्पण करता हूँ।

जयहिंद।"

***

AKR/BK/RK

 

[Hindustani78]

The Minister of State for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Shri Babul Supriyo inaugurating the work for construction of Road Over Bridge in collaboration with the SAIL, at Kumarpur, Asansol, in West Bengal on September 19, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

21-September, 2018 12:58 IST

On a two day official visit to Shillong on the 24th and 25th of this month to do an extensive review of every National Highways project in the seven North Eastern states with all stakeholders. National Highways projects worth more than Rs 1.5 lakh crores are currently underway in the seven North Eastern states , and will review the status of each project in the presence of the state Chief Ministers, PWD Ministers, officials of Road Transport & Highways Ministry, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) and also the project contractors.

In addition to the review, will also dedicate to the nation the 102 km Jowai-Ratacherrasection of NH-06 in the state of Meghalaya at an event at the State Convention Centre, Bishop Cotton Road in Shillong on the 24th of September. State Chief Minister Shri Conrad Sangma will preside over the function.

The NH project, constructed at a cost of Rs 683 Crore, will reduce the travel time between Jowai and Ratacherra to 2.5 hours from the 4 hours at present. The highways passes through the coal and cement producing belt, and is a lifeline for the landlocked states of the North East. Improved connectivity will foster economic growth in the Barak Valley and surrounding areas, open up employment opportunities and improve overall living conditions in the region.

The newly developed highway will have 2 Toll Plazas, 17 bus shelters, 2 highway patrol and 2 ambulances, besides 2 wayside amenities.

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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways24-September, 2018 18:30 IST
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways inaugurates Jowai- Ratacherra Section, NH-06

The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Rehabilitation and Up-gradation of existing road to 2-lane with paved shoulders configuration in Jowai-Ratacherra (Meghalaya Assam border) section of the National Highway- 06 today at Shillong and dedicated the road project to the nation. The 102 km long road was constructed at a cost of 683 crore rupees by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Nitin Gadkari said the government decided to give highest priority for development of infrastructure in North East, especially in road sector, as prosperity comes from good roads connectivity. In addition, the other two important sectors are industry and agriculture. He also expressed happiness that after Narendra Modi has taken charge as Prime Minister, he has given top priority to the N.E states. The Union Minister asserted that there are various big projects for the NE States and further urged the National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to make small packages and give more contracts to the people from the area so as to provide employment opportunities. We have project involvement of 1.50 lakh crore rupees in the NE, he said.

The Union Minister added that the 102 km long stretch of road is very important for the development of industries in Meghalaya as it passes through cement and coal belts of the State. With the travel time reduced from 4 hours to 2.5 hours, now trucks and heavy vehicles coming from Brahmaputra Valley can move smoothly in a record time frame to Silchar in Barak Valley, within Assam and thus providing connectivity to other N.E states like Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and southern Assam. The Union Government is also giving highest priority for regional connectivity through aviation and waterways. The Ministry is also considering options for developing waterways in the Brahmaputra River.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri Conrad Sangma thanked the government of India and especially the Honourable Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari for having taken up this project way ahead of its time, and that it is truly a very important and historic day and proud moment not only for Meghalaya but for the entire north eastern region. The Chief Minister said that the particular area where this road goes through is a very highly economically active zone, where there are more than ten cement plants, different resources that have been taken out of there including limestone and coal, agricultural products like turmeric and other products that they grow there. He also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicating Shillong-Nongstoin-Rongjeng-Tura Road to the nation which has now improved connectivity and further economic growth of that region.

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and other officials were also present at the inaugural function.

A two-day review meeting of every ongoing national highway project in the North Eastern States with Chief Ministers, Central and State Officials and contractors began after the inauguration by the Union Minister.

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[Hindustani78]

Centre approves Rs 8,606 crore for border infrastructure and management

The umbrella scheme Border Infrastructure and Management containing 60 projects and with an outlay of Rs 8,606 crore has been approved, a home ministry official said.
india Updated: Sep 26, 2018 15:31 IST

Press Trust of India
New Delhi

India shares borders with Pakistan (3,323 km), China (3,488 km), Nepal (1,751 km), Bhutan (699 km), Myanmar (1,643 km) and Bangladesh (4,096 km).(AFP File Photo)


The Centre has approved Rs 8,606 crore for 60 projects being implemented under the umbrella scheme of Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) to meet special development needs of people living in those areas, officials said Wednesday.

The projects are being implemented in 17 states having the international borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The umbrella scheme Border Infrastructure and Management containing 60 projects and with an outlay of Rs 8,606 crore has been approved, a home ministry official said.

The projects are implemented in 111 border districts to meet special development needs of border population with focus on people living within 50 kms of the international border.

The schemes include construction of roads, schools, primary health centres, promotion of rural tourism, border tourism, promotion of sports activities, cleanliness mission, protection of heritage sites, supply of drinking water, community centres, connectivity, drainage, to enable sustainable living in border areas, another official said.

Construction of helipads in remote and inaccessible hilly areas which do not have road connectivity, skill development training to farmers for the use of modern and scientific technique in farming, organic farming are some of the other areas where the projects are being implemented. India shares borders with Pakistan (3,323 km), China (3,488 km), Nepal (1,751 km), Bhutan (699 km), Myanmar (1,643 km) and Bangladesh (4,096 km).

First Published: Sep 26, 2018 15:31 IST

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
27-September, 2018 16:14 IST
DGBR visits Project Sampark

Director General Border Roads (DGBR) Lt Gen Harpal Singh, visited Project Sampark in Jammu & Kashmir on 26 September 2018. In his three-day visit from 24 September 2018,he inspected the roads Parole-Korepanu-Rajpura, Reasi-Arnas-Mahore, Reasi-Pouni-Siar-Rajouri, Budhal-Mahore-Gul, Roads in forward area, bridges Ujh and Bein in Kathua sector and other roads in Project Sampark. He also dedicated the Road Pt 703-Bijli in Sunderbani Sector for Army.

The DGBR met the Army Commander Northern Command, local formation Commanders at Nagrota, Rajouri, Reasi, Jammu and Pathankot and stressed upon the need for close co-ordination between Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Army.

The DGBR also met the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Shri Sanjeev Verma, and apprised him about the works being done on important roads in Project Sampark area. He discussed impediments & hurdles in progress of work and sought his assistance in overcoming them.

During the visit, DGBR emphasized the judicious use of resources and timely completion of works while maintaining the quality as per the laid down norms and standards. He conveyed that there was an urgent need to upgrade and adopt better technologies and materials in the work undertaken by the BRO so as to keep pace with the modernization and to save time and speed up the progress.



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[Hindustani78]

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh at the International Seminar on ‘Planning, Design and Construction of Long-span bridges’ organised by the Indian Institute of Bridge Engineers duly supported by BRO, in New Delhi on November 01, 2018. The Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Devraj Anbu, the Director General Border Roads, Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh and other senior officials are also seen.

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh releasing a handbook at the International Seminar on ‘Planning, Design and Construction of Long-span bridges’ organised by the Indian Institute of Bridge Engineers duly supported by BRO, in New Delhi on November 01, 2018. The Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Devraj Anbu, the Director General Border Roads, Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh and other senior officials are also seen.

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh being presented a memento by the Director General Border Roads, Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh, at the International Seminar on ‘Planning, Design and Construction of Long-span bridges’ organised by the Indian Institute of Bridge Engineers duly supported by BRO, in New Delhi on November 01, 2018.

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh addressing the gathering at the International Seminar on ‘Planning, Design and Construction of Long-span bridges’ organised by the Indian Institute of Bridge Engineers duly supported by BRO, in New Delhi on November 01, 2018. The Director General Border Roads, Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh and other senior officials are also seen.

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh visiting the exhibition at the International Seminar on ‘Planning, Design and Construction of Long-span bridges’ organised by the Indian Institute of Bridge Engineers duly supported by BRO, in New Delhi on November 01, 2018. The Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Devraj Anbu, the Director General Border Roads, Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh and other senior officials are also seen.