#SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today set deadline of June 10 for streamlining of riding surface and ensuring two way traffic movement on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in view of upcoming Shri Amarnathji pilgrimage and fruit season in the Union Territory.

The Chief Secretary was addressing a meeting held with all the concerned to take stock of road condition and the current traffic scenario on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir/Jammu, IG, Traffic, Secretary Transport, Secretary PWD, RO, NHAI besides Deputy Commissioners of Ramban, Udhampur, Kathua and Samba attended the meeting while outstation officers participated virtually.

The Chief Secretary took cognizance of the time being taken, at present, by both the Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) to reach from one capital city to another. He enquired about the condition of the road and the bottlenecks impeding smooth movement of traffic.

Dulloo took detailed appraisal of nearly two dozen spots on this road where commuters are facing inconvenience in their journey. He impressed upon the NHAI, Regional Officer, Jammu, to take all possible measures to improve the riding surface of the road and ensure simultaneous two way traffic on it by 10th of June this year.

He asked for taking swift steps like enhancing width of the carriage way besides black topping all the stretches where traffic snarls  are occurring due to rough surface of the road. He enjoined upon the concerned divisional and district administration to identify all such spots which needs immediate improvement so that no adversity is faced during the upcoming yatra and fruit season when thousands of fruit laden trucks are bound to cross this Highway on daily basis.

The Chief Secretary asked about the causes behind worsening condition of roads on the highway including Dalwas, Old Passi, Mehard, Marog (Ramban), Pratap Nallah (Digdol), Khooni Nallah, Panthyal, Magarkote, Higni, Lower Nachlana and Kishtwari Pather. He also sought feedback from the Traffic, DCs and NHAI about the measures to be taken in this regard and fixed deadline for ironing out these difficulties in coordination with all stakeholders.

Dulloo asked the executing agencies to improve the Kathua-Katra stretch of the Highway besides ensuring its blacktopping before 20th of June without any further delay. He asked the Div Com Jammu to personally monitor this work and submit report daily on this account.

He also took stock of the physical progress achieved on construction of grade separators at Bemina, Sanat Nagar and Nowgam crossings in Srinagar. He also reviewed the work done, so far, on the overhead Railway crossing Bridge near Bijbehara. He asked for expediting work on all these projects for timely completion.

In a presentation given by IG Traffic, Bhim Sen Tuti, a detailed analysis of the previous traffic halts along with their durations was highlighted. The reasons for each such disruption was spotlighted and the cause of suspensions experienced this month were particularly brought to fore.

It was informed that the incessant rains on 29th and 30th of April had eroded the loop of the old road at Magerkote which was used to pass traffic in one direction. It was added that the construction work on fly-overs, via-ducts and tunnels at several locations is sometimes causing difficulty in smooth passage of traffic.

It was also revealed that the traffic Department in collaboration with the district administration Ramban have identified 19 spots for taking certain corrective measures there. The steps like road widening, compacting and blacktopping at these stretches would be finished in next couple of weeks by taking a dry day in between, the meeting was apprised

The meeting was informed that the road condition would be substantially upgraded by NHAI before the onset of fruit, vegetable season and commencement of Shri AmarnathJi yatra this year for convenience of all the travellers going to and fro from Srinagar to Jammu and vice-versa.

#SRINAGAR: To ensure the smooth conduct of Shri #AmarnathJi Yatra (SANJY) 2024 via the Baltal route, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Shyambir today held a joint meeting with concerned officers and representatives of various service providers to fix rates for services at Sonamarg.

This initiative aims to prevent overcharging and enhance the quality of services for pilgrims.

During the meeting, a detailed discussion was held regarding the services provided by ponywalas, pithuwalas, palkiwalas, laborers and other service providers. The stakeholders shared their valuable suggestions and assured the DC of their cooperation to ensure a successful and smooth yatra.

After thorough deliberation, the committee, in consultation with the service provider’s representatives, fixed the rates for various services including ponies, pithus, dandies, palkies, and laborers for SANJY-2024.

The DC emphasized the importance of adhering to these fixed rates to maintain fairness and quality of service.

The meeting was attended by ADDC Ganderbal, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani; CEO SDA, Farooq Ahmad Baba, ASP, SDM Kangan, CPO, CAHO, Assistant Labour Commissioner, ARTO, and other district and sectoral officers.

Following the meeting, the DC, along with other officers, visited Baltal to inspect the ongoing preparations for the yatra.

He stressed the timely completion of essential services such as the repair of damaged water pipelines, power cabling, toilet facilities, repair of huts, fencing of the pony stand, development of the pony tract, parking areas, railing along the yatra track, and snow clearance.

The DC issued necessary instructions to ensure that all preparations are completed within the fixed timelines, guaranteeing the provision of the best possible services to the pilgrims.

#RAMBAN: The traffic authorities on today said that Srinagar-Jammu national highway will remain closed for traffic on 21 May as maintenance work .

Our correspondent reports that due to the recent rains in Srinagar-Jammu national highway, there has been heavy damage to the road at Sher Bibi, Kishtawari Pathar ,Hingni, Dalwas and Mahad Cafeteria Mod in Ramban sector.

In view of the necessary repairs of the Highway, the movement of vehicles on the national highway will be closed on 21 May

“Based on J&K UT Government directions passed on today for undertaking important repair and maintenance works on NH-44 by NHAI,

He also said no LMV or HMV (except medical emergency vehicles) will be allowed to ply on NH-44 between Nashri Tunnel towards Navyuga Tunnel and vice-versa.