Transport and Connectivity

Road development in Jammu & Kashmir is important, given the terrain of the State and limited development of alternate means of transportation. A well- developed network of roads is necessary not only for the economic development of the State but for its social, political and cultural development. It is required to exploit the rich natural wealth of the State, to develop indigenous industries, to explore new markets for its products and to promote tourism. To this effect the State government has been focusing on construction of new roads, maintenance and upgradation of already existing roads, construction of bridges and culverts and connecting villages with a network of roads. It remains the endeavour of the Department to construct ecofriendly and cost effective Government buildings. Major thrust is being given to the schemes envisaging road connectivity in-accessible and difficult areas for equitable development of the State. The department also extends technical support to other departments besides acting as executing agency.

Road length maintained by PW(R&B) Department has enhanced from 18368 kms in 2007-08 to 31921 kms during 2013-14 (ending March, 2014). The province wise details of the road length (2013-14) are given as under:-

A brief resume of main programmes/schemes sanctioned by the State and Central Governments are given as under:-

CENTRAL ROAD FUND
Central Road Fund is a Central Scheme which is primarily focused for development of State Roads including Roads of Inter State Connectivity and Economic Importance. Although Central Road Fund is a Central Scheme, yet it is part of the State Plan and funding is made by the Govt. of India as ACA to the State Plan. 108 schemes stand sanctioned since the inception of the Programme in 2000-01, out of which 64 schemes have been completed ending Jan, 2015. During 2013-14, 8 new projects were sanctioned by Govt of India at an estimated cost of Rs. 110.67 Crores. 218 Similarly during 2014-15, eleven new road/ bridge projects estimated to cost Rs. 221.90 Crore have submitted to GoI for approval.

FLAGSHIP PROGRAMME - PMGSY
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a flagship programme which was launched in Dec., 2000 in the country and also extended to J&K State in the same year. The objective of the PMGSY programme is to provide connectivity by way of all weather roads to the unconnected habitations in rural areas. Under Bharat Nirman Programme, it is envisaged to provide road connectivity to all the unconnected habitations in the country having population of more than 1000 souls as per census 2001 whereas in hilly states and desert areas the target is to provide connectivity with population size of 500 souls and above.

Presently, 2038 schemes at an estimated cost of Rs. 5486.14 Crore have been sanctioned under this programme in nine phases. An amount of Rs.2943.37 Crore has been released by GOI ending Jan, 2015 against which Rs.2952.93 Crore stands utilized. So far 1124 schemes have been completed with total road length of 5985 Kms covering 1676 habitations.

The present status of habitations coverage which has been taken up in a phased manner under PMGSY in J&K State is given as under:-
Habitations coverage under PMGSY in J&K State

It is imperative to mention that there were 1425 un-connected habitations in the population range of <250 souls as on 01-04-2001. With the implementation of the schemes duly sanctioned by GoI covering habitations with 250+ population, 283 habitations which were having population of less than 250, got incidentally connected ending January 2015. Thus the total coverage of habitations is 1676 which included 1393 habitations with population of 250+ and 283 habitations with population of <250.

NABARD
NABARD is providing loan assistance to the State Government under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) which was introduced in our State in 1999­2000. Under it, 2005 projects have been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 3855.03 crore out of which 1075 schemes have been completed ending March, 2014 (provisional). An amount of Rs 301.64 crores and Rs.91.96 crores have been incurred during 2013-14 and 2014-15 (ending Jan., 2015) respectively. Prime Minister's Re­Construction Plan (PMRP)

Construction of Mughal Road Project was taken up for execution in March 2006 under PMRP and approved by the Central Govt. at a cost of Rs. 159.00 Crores on the basis of M/S RITES. Subsequently the cost was raised to Rs. 255.00 Crores due to escalation that had occurred during 1999-2006. The task of preparation of actual DPR of the road was subsequently taken up by Mughal Road Organization on the fag end of year 2007 and finalized. Accordingly, the AAA for Rs. 639.85 Crores stands accorded vide Govt. order 509-PW(R&B) of 2008 Dated: 17-10-2008. The financial / physical progress of the Mughal Road is given as under:-

FINANCIAL

PHYSICAL

Narbal Tangmarg 4 lane road (38 kms) at the cost of Rs. 116.00 Crore and Khanabal Pahalgam road (43 kms) at the cost of Rs. 110.00 Crore stand already completed under PMRP.