Border Roads Organisation

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/nod-for-4-918-bunkers-in-rajouri/524019.html

Posted at: Jan 6, 2018, 12:47 AM; last updated: Jan 6, 2018, 12:47 AM (IST)

Tribune News Service
Rajouri, January 5

The government has given approval for the construction of 4,918 individual bunkers and 372 community bunkers along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district. These are in addition to the 100 bunkers that are already under construction in villages along the border.

This was revealed by District Development Commissioner (DDC) Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, who chaired a meeting of border residents and field officers, for initiating a number of developmental works and review of relief and compensation measures.

Prominent representatives from Sunderbani, Nowshera, Doongi and Manjakote areas, situated along the LoC, attended the meeting.

Choudhary said a detailed discussion was held with locals, engineers, Army officers and administrative heads regarding the modalities for the construction of bunkers in a time-bound manner. Each community bunker of 800 sq ft will accommodate 40 persons and individual bunker of 60 sq ft will accommodate eight persons. The project will create a safe accommodation for 54,000 people.

Meanwhile, a proposal submitted by the district administration for coverage of relief and compensation in favour of border residents and migrants as per the norms of State Disaster Relief Fund has been approved. This will give a major relief to border residents who are often forced to migrate due to ceasefire violations.

The DDC said border migrants at relief camps were entitled to Rs 1,800 for adults and Rs 1,325 for children for one month. Moreover, damages for crop loss have been approved at the rate of Rs 37,500 per hectare.

He said for the loss of livestock, Rs 30,000 had been okayed for large animals and Rs 3,000 for small animals. The district administration has accordingly formulated a Rs 5.17-crore proposal for relief camps, compensation, damages and losses.

 

[Hindustani78]

Press Trust of India, Jammu, Jan 6 2018, 11:16 IST

Detailed discussion was held with locals, engineers, army officers and administrative heads regarding modalities for construction of bunkers in a time-bound manner. pti file photo

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/652160/border-residents-get-5390-bunkers.html

The government will provide safe accommodation to 54,000 border residents facing the brunt of intermittent firing and shelling by Pakistan troops round the year in Rajouri district with the construction of over 5,300 individual and community bunkers.


Apart from 100 bunkers being constructed, the government has given approval for 4,918 individual bunkers and 372 community bunkers, District Development Commissioner Rajouri Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said.


Each community bunker of 800 square feet will accommodate 40 persons and individual bunker of 60 square feet will accommodate eight persons, he said.


This project will create safe accommodation for 54,000 people, he said.

The district development commissioner chaired a meeting of border residents and field officers to review relief and compensation measures and prominent representatives from Sunderbani, Nowshera, Doongi and Manjakote areas along the LoC attended the meeting yesterday.

Detailed discussion was held with locals, engineers, army officers and administrative heads regarding modalities for construction of bunkers in a time-bound manner.

Meanwhile, proposal submitted by the district administration for coverage of relief and compensation in favour of border residents and migrants as per norms of the state disaster relief fund (SDRF) has been approved, he said.

The relief and compensation will be a major relief for border residents who are often forced to migrate due to ceasefire violation, the commissioner said.

Shahid informed that now border migrants at relief camps are entitled for Rs 1,800 per adult per month and Rs 1,325 per child per month.

Besides, compensation for damages to crops has been approved at the rate of Rs 37,500 per hectare and compensation for loss of livestock has been approved at Rs 30,000 for large animals and Rs 3,000 for small animals, he said.


The losses and damages of houses and household items have also been covered for compensation, the officer added.

The border residents on the occasion appreciated the efforts of district administration for a proactive redressal of their issues.

The DDC informed that process has been initiated for coverage of all unconnected household for providing power supply which will cover 6,200 houses along the LoC and work is scheduled to commence shortly.

He also briefed about major thrust of the government for road connectivity for which a number of internal roads connecting hamlets have been approved.

 

[Hindustani78]

Centre okays construction of 14,000 bunkers along LoC, IB

While 7298 bunkers would be constructed along the LoC in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri, 7162 underground bunkers would be constructed along the IB in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts, the officials said.
Updated: Jan 07, 2018 17:44 IST
Press Trust of India, Jammu
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...long-loc-ib/story-De7LWtllwT7hRO2tqdQ8GK.html

A view from the bunker of an Indian Army post on the LoC.(HT File Photo)

Over 14,000 community and individual bunkers would be constructed along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) for border residents facing Pakistani shelling in Jammu division, officials said on Sunday.

While 7298 bunkers would be constructed along the LoC in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri, 7162 underground bunkers would be constructed along the IB in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts, the officials said.

The Centre recently sanctioned the construction of 14,460 individual and community bunkers at a cost of Rs 415.73 crore for people living along the LoC and IB.

A total of 13,029 individual bunkers and 1431 community bunkers were being constructed, the officials said, adding that the capacity of the 160 square feet individual bunker was eight people, and that of the 800 square feet community bunker was 40 people.

The officials said 4918 individual and 372 community bunkers would be constructed in Rajouri, and 3076 individual and 243 community bunkers would come up in Kathua district.

A total of 688 community and 1320 individual bunkers would be constructed in Poonch, Jammu would get 1200 individual and 120 community bunkers, and 2515 individual and eight community bunkers would be constructed in Samba district, they said.

India shares a 3,323km long border with Pakistan, of which 221km of the IB and 740km of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

As many as 35 people -- 19 Army personnel, 12 civilians and four BSF personnel -- were killed in ceasefire violations by Pakistan last year alone.

Senior BJP leader and MP Jugal Kishore Sharma welcomed the move by the Centre. “It is indeed a matter of joy and satisfaction for the people of border villages that the Centre has sanctioned construction of bunkers and approved relief and compensation for various property and livestock losses due to cross-border firing,” Sharma said here.

The MP expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for acceding to the demands of people living in border villages.

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http://indianexpress.com/article/in...n-jks-rajouri-district-jammu-kashmir-5015110/
Authorities in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir has retrieved 34.25 acres of land, The day-long drive was conducted Saturday under the supervision of Rajouri’s District Development Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and Senior Superintendent of Police Yougal Manhas, an official spokesperson said Sunday.

He said assisted by a 500-strong contingent of police force, the workforce of 120 men and more than 20 JCB machines retrieved prime land at five different locations in Rajouri town.


The teams constructed more than 30 structures which included 14 shops, 11 concrete residential houses, two workshops, one service station and three sheds apart from a vast network of concrete plinths and foundations. No injury or damage was reported during the drive, the spokesperson said.

According to the spokesperson, in view of the winter, the district administration provided temporary accommodation for one week for evicted families and necessary arrangements were put in place. “Although all the displaced families were living on state land in violation of norms, still on humanitarian grounds, the administration is taking steps to provide all kind of assistance to them,” he said.

The spokesperson said a separate enquiry is being conducted into the role of some locals in sale and purchase of state land and involvement of officials in wrongful vesting of titles or allowing illegal constructions. “Eviction and construction drive will continue during the month and similar patches of land will be retrieved shortly,” the district development commissioner said.

He said parking lot for 1,000 vehicles and a recreation park have been approved and would be constructed on retrieved land.

The administration is also starting construction of circular road from new bridge to district court complex via Anandpur Ashram using the retrieved land, the spokesperson said.

 

[Hindustani78]

The road is coming up from the Rahya Morh to the Central University of Jammu in Samba district.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...oad-to-central-varsity-incomplete/525084.html

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways sanctioned one-time special grant for the four-laning of the 10-km link road to the Central University of Jammu. However, the university has failed to complete the project.

The link road is being constructed from the national highway at Rahya Morh in Samba district to the Central University of Jammu. In September 2015, the ministry sanctioned Rs 107.25 crore to cover all three phases of the project.

An inordinate delay to complete the link road has further dented the image of the university, which is already among the 11 non-performing Centre-funded institutions listed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 2017. Moreover, covering the 10-km distance from the national highway at Rahya Suchani to the Central University campus at Bagla village is a nightmarish experience for students, staff and visitors. Leave aside the four-laning of the road, even the existing single-lane road is in a pathetic condition.

“Had the university immediately started the four-laning of the road after the grant was sanctioned by the Central ministry, the process would have been completed by now. However, due to lack of coordination between the university and the agencies concerned, not even 1 per cent of work has been completed in two years,” an official claimed.

“In fact, a high-level committee of the Ministry of Human Resource Development that visited the Central University from July 24 to 26, 2017, for conducting financial, academic and infrastructure audit had thoroughly, scrutinised and cross-checked the official records pertaining to payments and the use of university funds,” the official added.

When contacted, Prof Ashok Aima, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, admitted that the delay in the completion of the project even after getting the one-time special grant from the Central ministry. “Yes, there has been a delay in the four-laning of the road, but the construction work has just begun a few days ago.

When I took charge in 2015, my top priorities were the four-laning of the link road and the speeding up of the construction work on the campus, especially of academic blocks,” he added. When asked whether the university would continue with the road project, Prof Aima replied: “The work is in its first phase. We will try to make the road two or three lane, if not four.”

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/rs-57-cr-for-roads-in-dharampur-mahender-singh/525623.html

Tribune News Service

Mandi, January 8

Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh Thakur said Rs 57 crore would be spent for the upkeep of roads in Dharampur Assembly segment.

He inaugurated the Dali-Rakhoh road by running an HRTC bus on this route today, which would benefit the people of four panchayats in the region. The road was constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

The minister also inaugurated the construction work of Tarohla-Bardana road at a cost of Rs 1.2 crore and Dhwali-Richhli roads at a cost of Rs1.47 crore.

Addressing a public meeting in Mandi, he said Rs 57 crore was being spent on the maintenance and strengthening of roads in the Dharmpur area.

He said major drinking water projects would be undertaken in the Dharmpur area in the next five years, for which department officials had been instructed to prepare estimates.

He said through BRICS, Rs 3,000 crore had been approved for the state, under which many schemes would be undertaken in the Dharmpur area. He added that Rs one crore had been sanctioned for the construction of a bus stand in Sandhol.

“The Centre is working on a scheme to make use of rainwater harvesting in irrigation work and to make it re-useable for drinking purpose. The scheme will be started from Dharmpur. A separate wing will be set up under the chairmanship of the Chief Engineer who will send the project to the Central Government,” he remarked.

The minister said wherever there was a possibility of horticulture in the Dharmapur area, the area would be developed so that the economy of the people could be further strengthened.

He also asked the officials of the Horticulture Department to organise awareness camps in rural areas. He expressed his gratitude to the BJP central leadership and also thanked the people of Dharmapur for making him victorious by an overwhelming majority.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/protesters-seek-tunnel-at-sadhna-pass/525547.html

Posted at: Jan 9, 2018, 12:11 AM; last updated: Jan 9, 2018, 12:11 AM (IST)
Protesters seek tunnel at Sadhna pass


Tribune News Service


Srinagar, January 8

Thousands of inhabitants of the Karnah valley in north Kashmir today marched towards the Teetwal crossing point on the Line of Control to press for their demand for construction of a tunnel at the Sadhna pass on the Kupwara-Tangdhar highway, which has emerged as a death trap over the years.

The protest march and dharna near the Teetwal crossing point followed the death of 11 persons in a snow avalanche near the Sadhna Top on Friday.

Over 8,000 people gathered at Tangdhar, the tehsil headquarters of the Karnah valley in the frontier district of Kupwara, and marched towards Teetwal village located on the LOC. “We were stopped by the police and the Army near Chamkot, which is halfway from Teetwal. The protesters, however, refused to budge and it resulted in law and order situation. We also resorted to stone-throwing,” said a protester.

Sources said despite the authorities stopping the march, over 3,000 protesters still managed to assemble near the crossing point. They said the protesters were demanding that the higher authorities visit the spot to ensure that the process for the construction of the tunnel was their priority. “The protesters have threatened that if a tunnel is not constructed, they will be forced to cross over to the other side of the LOC,” the villager said.

Till the late 1990s, the road used to remain close for over six months during the winter and now it remains closed for over a fortnight. Every winter season, it snows over 20 ft at Sadhna and even if the road opens, it is risky to drive to Tangdhar.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/militant-dies-in-budgam-gunfight/525551.html
Srinagar, January 8

A militant was killed in a gunfight in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Monday, the police said.

The gunfight triggered at Kanir village in Chadoora, over 20 km from Srinagar, when the joint teams of the police, Army and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation after an input about the presence of two to three militants.

“As forces started the search operation, the militants opened fire to break the cordon. The fire was retaliated and a militant was killed in the gunfight,” Inspector General of the CRPF Ravideep Singh Sahi told The Tribune. The body of the slain militant, believed to be a local, has been recovered.

Sahi said arms and ammunition were also recovered from the site. As the news about the gunfight broke, clashes erupted in some villages around the site. The protesters tried to take a march towards the site, which was foiled by the police. Reports said two youths were injured during clashes. — TNS

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...ents-booked-for-sale-of-govt-land/525550.html
Jammu, January 8

After retrieving 34.25 acres of government land during an anti-encroachment drive, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district have now registered cases against some officials and persons for selling the state land, an official spokesman said today.

Cases have also been filed for wrongful vesting of titles and allowing illegal constructions, the spokesman said.

“Details were shared by the (displaced) families about the persons who sold the land over a period of many years and accordingly, the administration has lodged a case under various sections of the RPC against private persons and officials involved in the matter,” the spokesman said.

He said the charges in the case included cheating, forgery for the purpose of cheating and criminal trespass etc.

Earlier, during a day-long drive on January 6 in Rajouri town, authorities retrieved 34.25 acres of land from illegal occupation and demolished over 30 illegal structures, including 14 shops and 11 concrete residential houses, apart from a vast network of concrete plinths and foundations.

“A team is already looking into the role of some officials into illegal constructions and wrongful vesting of ownership rights,” the spokesman said, adding that a joint team of police along with revenue officials would conduct a detailed investigation.

After the demolition drive, according to the spokesman, process has been set into motion for relief and rehabilitation of displaced families on humanitarian grounds.

“The district administration has provided alternate accommodation to seven displaced families and Rs 25,000 was given to each family apart from ration and essential commodities,” he added. — PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Home Affairs
12-January, 2018 17:42 IST
Union Home Minister inaugurates 43rd Annual Day function of MES Builders Association of India

No shortage of funds for Border Infrastructure, assures Shri Rajnath Singh

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has assured there will be no shortage of funds for Border Infrastructure. Inaugurating the 43rd Annual Day function of MES Builders Association of India, here today, he said the Government will expedite Forest and Environmental clearance issues which still continue to dog such strategic projects. Shri Rajnath Singh said the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has also laid emphasis and relaxations will be obtained to facilitate completion of projects in national interest. He said the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) model will be crucial to create strategic infrastructure.

The Union Home Minister said the Government has embarked upon a five year ambitious project during the period 2017-2022 worth over seven lakh crore rupees to build road infrastructure. This includes more than 2,000 kms Border Roads. Pointing out that e-tendering process has led to transparency, Shri Rajnath Singh said quality delivery of the projects will be paramount. The Union Home Minister called upon the Armed Forces and the CAPFs for better coordination on the creation of Border Infrastructure.

The Union Home Minister said for the first time in India’s history, this Government has continued to roll out economic reforms even while the economic situation in the country has remained comfortable; normally the previous Governments were compelled on the path of reforms after landing in dire financial position.

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The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh at the inauguration of the 43rd Annual Day function of MES Builders Association of India, in New Delhi on January 12, 2018.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh at the inauguration of the 43rd Annual Day function of MES Builders Association of India, in New Delhi on January 12, 2018.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh giving away trophies at the inauguration of the 43rd Annual Day function of MES Builders Association of India, in New Delhi on January 12, 2018.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh addressing at the inauguration of the 43rd Annual Day function of MES Builders Association of India, in New Delhi on January 12, 2018.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh addressing at the inauguration of the 43rd Annual Day function of MES Builders Association of India, in New Delhi on January 12, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/pwd-floats-tenders-for-new-bridge-at-baddi/527740.html
Ambika Sharma
Tribune News Service
Solan, January 12

Old Balad bridge that was damaged in the rain last year.


The Public Works Department (PWD) has finally floated tenders for the construction of a new bridge linking the Baddi-Barotiwala industrial area after the old Balad bridge was adversely damaged in the last rainy season.

The Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh Development Authority (BBNDA) had earlier released Rs 4 crore to the PWD in September for initiating the work. The remaining funds will also be provided by the authority informed Rajiv Kumar, Additional Chief Executive Officer, BBNDA.

Sanjiv Agnihotri, Executive Engineer, PWD, while confirming the news said consultancy studies had been undertaken for constructing the new bridge for which e-tenders worth Rs 13 crore had been floated. He said since indiscriminate mining had adversely damaged the old bridge, additional measures such as laying of 20-feet deep foundation would be put in place.

Since the old bridge had a shallow foundation, its spans had worn off due to reckless mining and much had gone into devising measures, which would sustain the bridge for a long time.

In a bid to ensure professional work of the highest standards, contractors registered with the Ministry of Road Transport, would only be eligible to avail the tenders and once allotted, the new bridge would be completed in about 1.5 years.

The four spans of the old bridge had been damaged in August last year during the rainy season and a portion of the structure had sunk in. It was closed for the traffic for sometime, but was later reopened after some repair work.

Constructed in 1970s, the 180-m old bridge had been facing an immense wear and tear in view of the movement of heavy trucks in the industrial belt as well as reckless mining at its base. Since its foundation had worn off, a new bridge was required to be constructed as it was a key link to the Baddi-Barotiwala industrial area. Bridge damaged last year The four spans of the old Balad bridge was damaged in August last year during the rainy season and a portion of the structure had sunk in. It was closed for the traffic for sometime, but was later reopened after repair work. Constructed in 1970s, the 180-m old bridge had been facing an immense wear and tear in view of the movement of heavy trucks in the industrial belt as well as reckless mining at its base.Since its foundation had worn off, a new bridge was required to be constructed.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...hmir-srinagar-baramulla-highway-crpf-5022837/

IED defused on Srinagar-Baramulla Highway in J&K

The IED device was found at 9 am with the help of a dog squad. The engineering squad of the army defused the device at 11 am, police said.
http://indianexpress.com/article/in...hmir-srinagar-baramulla-highway-crpf-5022837/
By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi | Published: January 13, 2018 3:44 pm

Security forces on Saturday recovered and defused an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in HMT area on Srinagar-Baramulla highway. (Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi)

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway was defused by security forces on Saturday morning in Jammu-Kashmir. The IED was placed adjacent to the road divider. It was found at 9 am with the help of a dog squad. The engineering squad of the army defused the device at 11 am, police said.

“We received information about the IED at 3 am,” Commanding Officer Rajesh Kumar told news agency ANI, adding that a joint team of civil police, second RR and CRPF carried out a recce of the area.

This is a developing story. More details are awaited.

(With ANI inputs)

Bomb Disposal Squad personnel on Saturday defusing the IED device in HMT area on Srinagar-Baramulla highway. (Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi)

 

[Hindustani78]

Bomb Disposal Squad defusing an IED in Srinagar.(HT File Photo)

 

[Hindustani78]

Tribune Photo: Mohammad Amin War
Srinagar, January 13
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...-on-srinagar-muzaffarabad-highway/527975.html

Security forces on Saturday recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway, police said.

Traffic on the highway was disrupted for some time in the morning when security forces found the IED at a busy crossing on the periphery of Srinagar.

"Bomb disposal squads of police, Army and the Central Reserve Police Force immediately reached the spot and removed the explosive device," a police officer said.

Traffic was later restored on the highway.

IANS

 

[Hindustani78]

The bridge over the Ravi on the Chamba-Banikhet road, near Chamba, collapsed on October 19 last year.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/proposal-to-rebuild-parel-bridge-ready/528497.html

Our Correspondent
Chamba, January 14

The Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HP PWD) has drawn a proposal to reconstruct the Parel bridge over the Ravi on the Chamba-Banikhet road near Chamba town which collapsed on October 19 last year.

The collapsed bridge was completed in May, 2005, at a cost of Rs1.99 crore by a construction company based in Panchkula (Haryana). It was a pre-stressed balanced cantilever bridge from the engineering point of view.

PWD Chamba Division Executive Engineer Jeet Singh Thakur said the proposal to reconstruct the bridge was discussed at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Engineering-in-Chief RS Verma at Shimla on December 19 along with Chief Engineer (Kangra Zone) SK Ganju, and other departmental officials.

After taking into consideration all the aspects and the formalities, the proposal would be submitted to the state government for approval, Thakur further said.

The Parel bridge is an important link to several remote areas of Chamba and Churah subdivisions of the district.

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The Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch road was declared a national highway in 2015. Tribune photo

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...ng-project-miles-away-from-target/528535.html

Arteev Sharma
Tribune News Service
Jammu, January 14

In a classic example of administrative inertia, the vital project of four-laning of the Jammu-Poonch national highway is moving at a snail’s pace as no major progress has been achieved on the project since the announcement of funds for its execution two years ago.

The different departments, particularly the Power Development Department and Public Health Engineering Department, are yet to initiate the process of shifting their respective utilities.

Pertinently, the Jammu-Akhnoor-Rajouri-Poonch road has been declared as the new National Highway (NH) 144-A, and approved under the package for Rs 5,100 crore in November 2015.

While the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation has been entrusted the task of executing the project on the Jammu-Akhnoor section, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will take up the development of road from the Akhnoor-Nowshera-Poonch section with the existing carriage way of two-lane to its four-lane specification.

“From the Jammu-Akhnoor section, the preparation of detailed project reports is in the advanced stage which is about to complete. An amount of Rs 66 lakh has been allocated against which Rs 3 lakh stands utilised so far,” an official of the state’s Public Works Department said.

The official said, “An amount of Rs 3.32 crore has also been utilised for the improvement of the Jammu-Akhnoor stretch under periodical renewal programme by the department during 2016-17.”

“The contract for preparation of detailed project reports for the four-laning of road from Akhnoor to Poonch has been awarded to Highway Engineering Consultant, Bhopal, for Rs 4.42 crore in October 2017 by the BRO. The work of survey and preparation of detailed project reports is in progress. No funds have been utilised till date,” the official said. “However, funds have been utilised for the construction of the Kalai bridge over the Poonch river and construction of an approach road to the bridge which amount to Rs 17 crore and Rs 3.28 crore, respectively,” he added.

A source said the authorities would face another major challenge of getting forest clearance along with directions for submission of estimates of tree-cutting and compensatory afforestation for the project.

“Definitely, the project, which not only holds utmost public importance but also has strategic importance, has faced inordinate delay because of the lethargic approach adopted by those at the helm of affairs. The Jammu-Akhnoor section has become more problematic due to the voluminous increase in the number of vehicles,” the source said.

Ground work to begin next year

The sluggish pace of work on the project, being executed at a cost of Rs 5,100 crore under the Prime Minister’s Development Package, can be gauged from the fact that the executing agency is yet to complete the detailed project reports of different sections. If official sources are to be believed, the ground construction work of the project is likely to begin next year as the government is yet to acquire the land for the same.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...rushers-running-illegally-in-doda/528525.html
Jammu, January 14

Even as the J&K Government asked around 600 stone crushers in Doda to stop working till they obtain licences and complete other formalities, a few of these have been found operating illegally.

Of the two stone crushers, one belongs to BJP MLA Shakti Raj Parihar while the other is of a local businessman. These are operating illegally during night hours.

Both the stone crushers are situated in the Bagh area of Ghat near the Chenab and were established illegally by the owners without getting a no-objection certificate from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB). Now, when the government has issued a Sadr-e-Riyasat Ordinance (SRO) asking stone crusher owners to obtain licences and complete the legal formalities, these are still running on their own whims and fancies.

“Both of these crushers start working after 10 pm when no one’s around. They run till the first light of the day and sell gravel and dust during night hours only. Not a single official of the district administration has visited the area to stop the illegal activity,” said a local, wishing anonymity. As per the government data, around 600 illegal stone crushers are operational in the state. Most of the crushers, situated on highways, have stopped their operations but these two crusher owners are not adhering to the directions of the state government as one of the two crushers belong to a local MLA and the second one belongs to a local businessman in whose house the State Pollution Control Board’s divisional offices have been established. — TNS

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/uttarakhand/ecologists-to-raise-concerns-with-gadkari/528570.html
Posted at: Jan 15, 2018, 1:48 AM; last updated: Jan 15, 2018, 1:48 AM (IST)
Ecologists to raise concerns with Gadkari
Falling of trees for widening of all-weather Char Dham road tops agenda

A team of environmentalists recently surveyed various parts of Uttarakhand, where trees are being axed as part of the all-weather road project. Tribune photo


Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service
Dehradun, January 14

Environmentalists of Uttarakhand have planned to meet Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to express their concern over rampant felling of trees in higher hills of the state to make way for widening of the proposed all weather roads.

A team of environmentalists recently surveyed various parts of Uttarakhand hills that are part of all weather roads and are witnessing widespread felling of trees for widening of the road.

One of the team members Suresh Bhai said starting from April up till December last year, the study team went from village to village to assess the outcome of felling of trees and blasting taking place for road widening for the ambitious all weather roads project.

He said trees were being felled in large numbers for road widening which could have serious ramifications for the region’s environment. He said apart from bringing down trees, mud and boulders are being dumped in rivers.

Suresh Bhai has said the Harsil-Bhairoghati area in Uttarkashi district is high environmentally sensitive and is all set to witness a large scale felling down of trees, which is a matter of serious concern. He said during the survey, the environment team found debris being dumped into river Bhagirathi and asserted that such practice could be the cause of floods. The study team also found out that land of farmers had been acquired which was affecting their source of livelihood.

He said a delegation of environmentalists led by Radha Behn, an environment activist and recipient of the Indira Gandhi Environment Award, would shortly meet Nitin Gadkari and apprised him of the negative fallout to the region’s environment if trees were indiscriminately felled in hills.

The all-weather road project has been started in Uttarakhand for facilitating Char Dham pilgrims, who come in big numbers every year. The Prime Minister had inaugurated the project.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/march-31-deadline-for-62-nh-project-works/528952.html

Tribune News Service
Shimla, January 15

Apart from asking the PWD to prepare a road map for connecting all panchayats and villages, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today fixed March 31 as deadline for the PWD to appoint consultants for preparing the detailed project reports (DPRs) of 62 national highways (NHs) notified by the Centre in the state.

Reviewing the progress of PWD projects at a meeting here, the CM said the DPRs need to be prepared in time and the work would be started at the earliest.

He said the department should fix a target to construct roads in a financial year and it should achieve the target. The government would not compromise on the quality of work and delaying tactics.

PWD officials informed the CM that 170 DPRs amounting to Rs 634 crore were under process. Besides, there were 26 bridges and 16 road project reports and improvement of 17 black spot project reports worth Rs 487.21 crore were being sent to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for approval.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), DPRs amounting to Rs 384 crore had been sent to the Centre for approval. Chief Secretary Vineet Chawdhry directed the PWD to speed up bridge construction and install signage on the NHs. Citing example of the Shimla-Parwanoo four lane project, he said the signage should be erected displaying inconvenience to commuters regretted. He also directed to display the name of the contractor, value of work and the project name on boards on the road projects too on the pattern of the PMGSY and NABARD roads.

Additional Chief Secretary, PWD, Anil Khachi said the PWD had prepared the vision document 2017 for connecting each village with road.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/655708/14460-bunkers-come-up-border.html

Amid a rising number of causalities in border areas, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday said the Centre has sanctioned construction of 14,460 bunkers to provide safe accommodation to border residents facing the brunt of intermittent firing and shelling by Pakistan.

"The Centre has sanctioned construction of 14,460 bunkers involving Rs 415.73 crore in border districts of Jammu division, while 37 bunkers have already been constructed under Border Area Development Programme (BADP) in the border blocks," Minister for Revenue Abdul Rehman Veeri said in the J&K Upper House, while replying to questions raised by various legislators over the issue.

He also said that the government has released Rs 1.50 crore under Capex Budget 2017-18 for construction of 100 individual bunkers in convergence mode on a pilot basis at Nowshera, Rajouri.


"The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, has also submitted a proposal for construction of 1,499 community type bunkers costing Rs 142.40 crore and 19,749 individual type bunkers costing Rs 503.41 crore in three border districts of Kashmir Division. The proposal stands submitted to the Union home ministry," Veeri added.

The Centre has already directed the state government that priority should be given to bunkers which are nearest to the Border Observation Posts (BOPs).

It has also asked the state government to specify the building norms for all areas up to 5 km from the border. The construction of bunkers was approved by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his four-day visit to the state between September 9 and 12 last year.

Thirteen people, including seven civilians and six security personnel, have been killed while more than 100 others injured over the last one week along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region due to Pakistani shelling and firing.

India shares a 3,323-km-long border with Pakistan, of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

[Hindustani78]

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh with GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen Surinder Singh, at Chandimandir. Tribune photo
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/pu...s-on-land-for-military-facilities/533793.html
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 24

While announcing that the Punjab government will set up two high-level committees, one to resolve issues relating to acquisition of land for setting up military facilities in the state and the other to address infrastructural and garbage dumping problems around the Chandigarh Air Force Station, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh also called for a review of provisions governing constructions around sensitive military installations.

The committees would comprise officials from both the armed forces as well as the state government and will meet regularly for updates and decisions. This was resolved during the annual Civil-Military Liaison Conference between the Punjab government and Western Command at Chandimandir today.

Chaired jointly by the Chief Minister and the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen Surinder Singh, it was attended by top government and Army officials.

Expressing concern that various issues raised by the armed forces earlier have not yet been resolved, the Chief Minister said ammunition depots, for instance, were established many years ago but the manifold growth of Punjab necessitated a re-look in the context of the current situation and review of the provisions for such facilities.

The issue came up in the context of non-promulgation of gazette notification with respect to ammunition depots at Dappar and Naraingarh in the state. Failure to issue the notification had made it difficult to stop proliferation of construction activity in the vicinity of the depots, the government was informed.

The armed forces have requested notification of the notified zone by publishing a gazette, to which the state government said it would be issued once the discrepancies found in revenue records of the areas were removed.

Problems relating to exchange of land between the Army and civil authorities for infrastructural projects, development of access roads and railways crossings at strategic places, bird menace arising out of dumping of garbage around airfields, illegal mining and storage around vital installations were also discussed.

The committee to look into the Chandigarh airfield problems would be headed by the Secretary, Civil Aviation, and include representatives of the airport management.

One of the key demands of the military for the acquisition of 5 kanal and 13 marla land to strength security around the Air Force Station, Barnala, had been pending due to delay in the release of funds to the PWD to pay compensation for construction of a new road after acquisition. The acquisition of land for passage between the Chandigarh airbase and Air Force High Grounds is also under consideration.

The Chief Minister also agreed to extend the notification of land near Faridkot, used for training and manoeuvres, up to 2030 and would also look into the issue of exchange of camping ground land to enable the armed forces to carry out training. The Kandi belt and Hoshiarpur area is being considered for this. The issue of damage to the ditch-cum-bundh border defences in Amritsar and Gurdaspur areas due to sand mining also cropped up.

Civil-Military Liaison Conference

• The committees would comprise officials from both the armed forces as well as the state government and will meet regularly for updates and decisions.
• This was resolved during the annual Civil-Military Liaison Conference between the Punjab government and Western Command at Chandimandir on Wednesday.
• Chaired jointly by the Chief Minister and the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen Surinder Singh, it was attended by top government and Army officials.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
25-January, 2018 10:32 IST
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways signs MoU with IL&FS for construction of Zojila tunnel

The tunnel will provide all weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh

An MoU was signed yesterday between National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, and M/S IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd for construction of the 14.150 km long, 2-lane bi-directional Zojila Tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir . This would be India’s longest road tunnel and the longest bi-directional tunnel in Asia. The construction of this tunnel will provide all weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh and will bring about all round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions. 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 project aims at construction of 14.150 km long two lane bidirectional single tube tunnel with a parallel 14.200 km long egress tunnel between Baltaland Minamarg in the state of J&K. The total capital cost of the project is Rs 6808.69 crore. It includes the cost towards land acquisition, resettlement andrehabilitation and other pre-construction activities as well as maintenance and operation cost of the tunnel for four years. The civil construction cost of the project is Rs 4899.42 crore. The construction period of the project is seven years which shall be reckoned from the date of commencement of construction.

The tunnel will be an engineering marvel, a first of its kind in such geographical area. It will have all modern technical safety arrangements such as cut and cross ventilation system, two axial fans,, fully transverse ventilation system, uninterrupted power supply, CCTV monitoring, variable messaging boards, traffic logging equipment , tunnel radio, emergency telephone system etc.

The main objective of the project is to provide all whether connectivity to strategically important Leh region in Jammu & Kashmir which at the moment is limited to at best 6 months in a year because of snow on the passes and threat of avalanches. This project, along with other ongoing projects like 6.5 km long Z-Morh tunnel at Gagangir would ensure safe, fast and cheap connectivity between the two regions of Kashmir and Ladakh.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation urged the construction company to make efforts to complete the project faster than the seven years assigned for it so that its benefits can reach the people of the region at the earliest. He also urged the company to explore whether it is technically feasible to lay railway tracks in the tunnel along with the road.

The projects will also increase the employment potential for the local labourers for the project activities. There would be enormous boost in employment as local businesses get linked to national market and the region is able to receive round the year tourist traffic.

***

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/hi...ld-to-resolve-land-exchange-issue/537777.html
Ambika Sharma
Tribune News Service
Solan, February 2

The district administration of Sirmaur will explore the possibility of providing 112 bigha to the defence authorities in lieu of surrendering 300-m defence lan, which was an impediment in completing a five-km Banogdhar-Kyari Road. Since the requisite 112 bigha contiguous stretch of non-forest land was difficult to be found in the district, a proposal to provide this land in some other district would be explored.

A meeting convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (DC), Sirmaur, Lalit Jain, took a significant decision in this regard to end this stalemate as the completion of the road was awaited since decades. After deliberating on this issue along with the defence officials at a meeting held at Nahan today, it was decided to explore this option.

The DC informed that a sum of Rs 10 lakh had already been incurred on constructing this road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sarak Yojana, but work was stuck up due to a 300-m defence land. People of as many as 12 villages, Jabbal-ka-Bagh, Jalapadi, Ramkundi, Simbalbara, Rorrawali, Ladli, Gadda Dharkyari, Bubbidhar, Bikram Kainsal, Majholi, Kotdi, Gadpedla and Bhalgo, as well as the residents of Ward Number 12 of Nahan were badly affected by the non-completion of this road.

It is worth mentioning that the local MLA and Speaker Vidhan Sabha, Dr Rajiv Bindal, had met the Defence Minister in Delhi on January 19 and submitted relevant papers concerning this issue to find an early solution. Bindal said faulty land settlement executed by the Land Settlement Department about 45 years ago had led to this land dispute between the civilians and the defence authorities in Nahan .

Though the issue had been raised several times with the defence authorities, no solution had come forth. It had also been deliberated upon with former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar following which the defence authorities had agreed to transfer the land if they were provided a substitute land in lieu by the state government. Dr Bindal, in his recent meeting with the Defence Minister, had urged her to speed up the process so that an early solution could be chalked out.

However, providing 112 acre in exchange was a Harculean task for the state as finding such a huge stretch of contiguous land at a location suitable to the defence authorities was not an easy task. Though the issue had also figured in the civil-military liaison meet, the availability of a suitable land had acted as a deterrent in resolving the issue, said Deputy Commissioner Lalit Jain.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/hi...ld-to-resolve-land-exchange-issue/537777.html
Ambika Sharma
Tribune News Service
Solan, February 2

The district administration of Sirmaur will explore the possibility of providing 112 bigha to the defence authorities in lieu of surrendering 300-m defence lan, which was an impediment in completing a five-km Banogdhar-Kyari Road. Since the requisite 112 bigha contiguous stretch of non-forest land was difficult to be found in the district, a proposal to provide this land in some other district would be explored.

A meeting convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (DC), Sirmaur, Lalit Jain, took a significant decision in this regard to end this stalemate as the completion of the road was awaited since decades. After deliberating on this issue along with the defence officials at a meeting held at Nahan today, it was decided to explore this option.

The DC informed that a sum of Rs 10 lakh had already been incurred on constructing this road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sarak Yojana, but work was stuck up due to a 300-m defence land. People of as many as 12 villages, Jabbal-ka-Bagh, Jalapadi, Ramkundi, Simbalbara, Rorrawali, Ladli, Gadda Dharkyari, Bubbidhar, Bikram Kainsal, Majholi, Kotdi, Gadpedla and Bhalgo, as well as the residents of Ward Number 12 of Nahan were badly affected by the non-completion of this road.

It is worth mentioning that the local MLA and Speaker Vidhan Sabha, Dr Rajiv Bindal, had met the Defence Minister in Delhi on January 19 and submitted relevant papers concerning this issue to find an early solution. Bindal said faulty land settlement executed by the Land Settlement Department about 45 years ago had led to this land dispute between the civilians and the defence authorities in Nahan .

Though the issue had been raised several times with the defence authorities, no solution had come forth. It had also been deliberated upon with former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar following which the defence authorities had agreed to transfer the land if they were provided a substitute land in lieu by the state government. Dr Bindal, in his recent meeting with the Defence Minister, had urged her to speed up the process so that an early solution could be chalked out.

However, providing 112 acre in exchange was a Harculean task for the state as finding such a huge stretch of contiguous land at a location suitable to the defence authorities was not an easy task. Though the issue had also figured in the civil-military liaison meet, the availability of a suitable land had acted as a deterrent in resolving the issue, said Deputy Commissioner Lalit Jain.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
05-February, 2018 16:51 IST

Construction of Roads For Connectivity In LWE Affected Areas

The total length of roads sanctioned under Road Requirement Plan for development of roads in Left Wing Extremism affected areas in 34 districts is 5422 km. The total length awarded and constructed so far is 5419 km and 4486 km respectively. The total expenditure incurred since the inception under the scheme upto 31st March, 2017 is Rs. 6210 crore. During the current Financial Year 2017-18, an allocation of Rs. 700 crore has been made.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Chemical & Fertilizers Shri Mansukh L Mandaviya in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

*****

In addition, 48,877 kms of projects under other ongoing schemes like NH(O), Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East (SARDP-NE), Externally Aided Projects (EAP) and Roads Projects in Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (LWE) are also to be implemented during the same period. This has an approved additional outlay of Rs.1,57,324 crore.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Home Affairs
24-May, 2018 19:07 IST

Shri Rajnath Singh directs constant vigil and security on the borders

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has directed all concerned officials to maintain constant vigil and security on the borders. At a review meeting here today, he took stock of the progress of construction of border fencing, roads and outposts along India's borders with neighbouring countries. Union Home Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba, Special Secretary (Border Management) Shri BR Sharma, Joint Secretaries of Border Management, other senior officers of MHA and senior officers from Central Armed Police Forces were present.

With regard to the Indo-Pakistan border, Home Minister expressed satisfaction that 97% of the sanctioned border fencing work has been completed. Shri Rajnath Singh also reviewed implementation of pilot projects on Comprehensive Integrated Border Management Systems (CIBMS) on nonphysical barriers. He also stressed to utilize the space technology for strengthening the border guarding and policing.

He stressed that coastal security is of utmost importance and appreciated action taken by State Governments and UTs for operationalization of 194 Coastal Police Stations duly equipped with boats and other equipments. He underlined the need for better cooperation among various agencies engaged in maintaining coastal security.

He directed that the next phase of the coastal security scheme should be expedited in consultation with stakeholders like Navy, Coast Guard, State Governments, etc. He complimented proactive role being played by Central Armed Forces and Navy and Coast Guard and directed that vigil may be maintained on all borders including coastal areas while protecting all legitimate and humane considerations of local population.

Identifying that land acquisition remained an issue, he called for expediting the same especially along the country's Eastern borders.

Expressing satisfaction over the working of six newly established Integrated Check Posts, Shri Rajnath Singh called for construction of 13 more ICPs along Indo-Nepal, Indo-Bangladesh and lndo-Bhutan borders. These Integrated Check Posts will facilitate cross border trade and movement of people.

HM also reviewed working of Border Area Development Plan and directed that all border States should send their annual action plans to MHA for release of funds quickly and all schemes and projects under BADP should be implemented at fast pace.

******

 

[Hindustani78]

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh at a review meeting of the Border Management Division, in New Delhi on May 24, 2018. The Union Home Secretary, Shri Rajiv Gauba, the Special Secretary (Border Management), Shri B.R. Sharma, the Directors General of Central Armed Police Forces and senior officers of MHA and CAPFs are also seen.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh at a review meeting of the Border Management Division, in New Delhi on May 24, 2018. The Union Home Secretary, Shri Rajiv Gauba, the Special Secretary (Border Management), Shri B.R. Sharma, the Directors General of Central Armed Police Forces and senior officers of MHA and CAPFs are also seen.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh at a review meeting of the Border Management Division, in New Delhi on May 24, 2018. The Union Home Secretary, Shri Rajiv Gauba, the Special Secretary (Border Management), Shri B.R. Sharma and senior officers of MHA and CAPFs are also seen.

 

[ezsasa]

Essential tools of BRO - The Bailey bridge