Question : Highway Projects in J&K

(a) whether the Government proposes to enhance the capacity of highways in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to enhance the quota of J&K under the Central Road Fund and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the present status of various projects i.e. Kapran-Desa-Doda Tunnel, Mugul Road Tunnel, Qazigund-Banihal Tunnel, Pahalgam-Panikhar Road, Kulgam- Gulabgarh Road, Tral- Pahalgam Road and Shari-i-Shali-Tral Road in J&K;

(d) the funds allocated, released and utilised on these projects, project-wise; and

(e) the time by which these projects are likely to be completed?

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) In order to enhance the capacity of National Highways (NHs)in Jammu & Kashmir, Government has undertaken Seventeen major road development projects in aggregate length of 1,554 km. The details of the projects are given at Annexure.

(b) The Central Road Fund Act, 2000 stands amended as Central Road and Infrastructure Fund Act, 2000 with effect from First April, 2018 in confirmation to the Finance Act, 2018.

(c) to (e) The progress of Qazigund- Banihal tunnelprojectonNH-44undertaken by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is 75.24% against the fund allocated amounting to Rs 2,648 crore for the project and scheduled to be completed by July, 2020.
The work of preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) costing Rs 3.23 crore for two laning of Mughal Road connecting Shopian to Baffliaz (in Punch District)including Mughal Road Tunnel in the State of Jammu & Kashmir is in progress and scheduled to be completed by Jan, 2020. This state road is approved as “In-Principle” NH subject to outcome of DPR.

The remaining five stretches viz. Kapran-Desa-Doda Tunnel; Pahalgam-Panikhar Road; Kulgam- Gulabgarh Road; Tral- Pahalgam Road and Shari-i-Shali-Tral Road are neither part of notified NHs nor “In-principle” NHs, hence out of the mandate to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.