Border Roads Organisation

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...-damaged-bridge-awaits-completion/518813.html

The strategic Nand Singh Bridge and the bypass bridge on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road in Uri. Tribune photo


Ishfaq Tantry
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 25

The strategic Nand Singh Bridge that connects Uri town in north Kashmir with the rest of the Valley has been under construction for the last 12 years and is still not ready for traffic.

The bridge was damaged during the 2005 earthquake, following which traffic on it was stopped. In the meantime, a bypass bridge was constructed for the traffic headed to Uri and Muzaffarabad. However, the bypass bridge too lies damaged now. “The people of Uri have been waiting for the past 12 years for completion of the work on the Nand Singh Bridge.

Recently a local woman fell down the bypass bridge into the stream. She had a narrow escape,” said Irshad Ahmad, a local resident. The woman identified as Shakila Begum was injured on December 20 while crossing the bridge.

Enraged at the slow pace of work on the Nand Singh Bridge, residents of Uri told The Tribune that if steps were not taken for completion of the work a big tragedy might happen.

Subsequently, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate also shot off a letter to the officials of the Border Roads Organisation (Project Beacon) asking them to repair the damaged bypass bridge and start work on the main bridge.

“The Border Roads Organisation has informed me that the work on the Nand Singh Bridge was stalled as a technical report was awaited,” said SDM Uri, Sagar D. Doifode. The 2005 earthquake had damaged the main bridge severely, leaving it unsafe for the traffic.

Several villages beyond the bridge and the main Uri town were cut off for a while before the Army installed a temporary steel bridge for the movement of vehicles.

However, the locals pointed out that the bypass bridge was also in a dilapidated condition and needed immediate repairs. One of its pillars was severely damaged during the 2014 flash floods.

Why the long delay

• The bridge, located over Haji Peer Nullah, connects over 30 far-flung villages and Uri town with rest of the Valley
  
• Following damage in 2005 earthquake, a tender for the reconstruction of the bridge with a cost of Rs 200.27 lakh was allotted to Lokpaul Fabrication Construction
• The BRO, however, cancelled the allotment alleging that the company did not stick to the design approved by it
• A long tussle between the construction company and the BRO ensued, delaying the construction of the bridge. The matter also went to the courts
• Now, the BRO is contemplating issuing a fresh tender to restart work

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/poonch-locals-collect-funds-for-link-road/518843.html

Tribune News Service
Jammu, December 25

As the PDP-BJP dispensation failed to release funds for completing the construction of a link road from Chandak to Naradh in Poonch, earlier taken up under NABARD, the locals of the area collected money and resumed the construction work today.Former MLA and Youth National Conference provincial president Ajaz Jan began the works in the presence of the villagers.

The link road was started by the previous NC-Congress government under NABARD but for the last couple of years, the work was lying suspended due to the shortage of funds. Despite repeated pleas, funds were not released, as a result of which the work remained suspended, locals said. Left with no alternative, people finally collected money to get the link road completed.

On the invitation of the locals, Ajaz Jan reached on the spot and got the work resumed. Addressing the gathering, Jan said it’s a matter of shame for the government that people themselves were doing the work of the department, which had failed to complete the pending projects.

“Merely on political grounds, the present government has shelved a number of projects and is not paying any attention towards completion of works. The coalition government is not only insensitive towards the requests of the people, but it takes sadistic pleasure in their sufferings,” he added.

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Residents of Dhanori village stage a protest. Tribune photo
Our Correspondent
Udhampur, December 25
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/villagers-demand-repair-of-road/518823.html

Residents of Dhanori village of Udhampur district are up in arms against the Public Works Department and have demanded immediate repair and blacktopping of the road leading to their village. Hundreds of people today assembled at Dhanori under the leadership of Rakesh Sallan, sarpanch.

They raised slogans in support of their demands. Addressing the gathering, Sallan said residents of the area had already intimated the authorities about the dilapidated condition of the road to the department concerned and district administration, but in vain.

“Residents, especially schoolchildren, are facing hardships. Many accidents have taken place on the road due to its poor condition. We have requested the local MLA for blacktopping, but to no avail,” he claimed. The protestors said if their demand was not fulfilled in a week time, they would block the road.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/85-work-on-doodh-ganga-pipeline-done-era/518830.html

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 25

The Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) today said it had achieved 85 per cent progress on the laying of the 18-km raw water pipeline from the higher reaches of Doodh Ganga (near Nauhara bridge) to Kralpora water treatment plant.

ERA Chief Executive Officer Farooq Ahmad Lone, who visited the project site today, was informed that the project would provide direct flow of good quality water from the higher reaches of Doodh Ganga nullah to Kralpora, which would be free from turbidity and would also save Rs 4 crore annually, currently being spent on lifting raw water for the treatment plant.

It said on completion, the project would provide additional supply of raw water to the 10 water supply schemes en route Nagam, Zuhama, Mir Mohalla, Chadoora, Wathura, Bugam, Doniwari, Handle Bagh and Chatergam. It was further informed that the project would benefit 3.5 lakh population in Budgam district and several residential areas of south Srinagar.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/650176/centre-releases-rs-167-cr.html
The Home Ministry has released Rs 167 crore to nine states with an international border for the development of infrastructure in forward areas, an official said today.

The states which will benefit include Rajasthan and Punjab, both having an international border with Pakistan, and West Bengal and Assam, which share a boundary with Bangladesh.

An amount of Rs 167 crore was released recently by the Home Ministry to Meghalaya, Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar, Sikkim, Tripura, Assam, Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP), the official said.

The fully centrally funded BADP programme covers all villages which are located within 0-10 km of the International Border in 17 states.

However, priority is given to those villages which are identified by border guarding forces for the speedy development of infrastructure.

The schemes permissible under the BADP include activities relating to the cleanliness mission, skill development programmes, promotion of sports activities, promotion of rural tourism, border tourism and protection of heritage sites.

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 techniques in farming, organic farming are other areas which come under the BADP.

While Rajasthan and Punjab share a border with Pakistan, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya share boundary with Bangladesh.

Bihar shares border with Nepal, Sikkim shares border with Nepal and Bhutan and Himachal Pradesh share a border with China.

Earlier, the Home Ministry had released Rs 174 crore to six states having international border under the same programme.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/chopper-services-sought-for-pangi/518988.html
Posted at: Dec 26, 2017, 12:58 AM; last updated: Dec 26, 2017, 12:58 AM (IST)
Chopper services sought for Pangi

Chamba: The Pangi Kalyan Sangh has demanded to start helicopter services for the snowbound Pangi tribal area of Chamba district. The two passes linking the valley has been closed due to heavy snowfall.

PL Thakur, president, Pangi Kalyan Sangh on Monday said helicopter services were indispensable for the sick and the aged and for students going for higher education outside the tribal valley.

They also requested the state government to charge subsidised rates for helicopter services. They demanded to draft a project report of the Shahpur-Sihunta-Jot-Chamba-Tissa-Killar (Pangi) NH. OC

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
26-December, 2017 17:12 IST
NHAI awards contract for stand- alone Ring Road/ bypass around Jammu City

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued Letter of Award (LOA) for construction of 58.255 km long stand - alone Ring Road/ Bypass around Jammu city in the state of Jammu & Kashmir .The project would be carried out on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis and the construction period is 36 months.

The details of the project are as under:
Section
Length
Project cost (Rs. in Crores)
Contractor

Stand-alone Ring Road/ Bypass around Jammu City
58.255 km
1339.00
M/s Gayatri Projects Ltd. – M/s Public Joint Stock Company “Kyivmetrobud”(JV)

The proposed Jammu Bypass starts from Km. 86/100 of Jammu-Srinagar highway (NH-1A) and ends at Km. 14/700 of Nagrota Bypass of NH-1A for a length of 58.255 km. The entire Greenfield alignment has been proposed on the western side of Jammu City to provide better connectivity. The Ring Road will also provide smooth and easy traffic flow and ease traffic congestion in and around Jammu City. In addition to this it will also facilitate movement of army traffic carrying heavy machinery to border/strategic areas of Poonch, Rajouri, Nowshera and Akhnoor. By providing an alternative route to the existing choked roads of Jammu City.

The Ring Road/ Bypass will also lead to substantial socio-economic growth of the area. It will transverse through 56 villages, 9 tehsils and 2 districts (Jammu & Samba). It will also reduce wear and tear of vehicles and facilitate smooth and hassle free movement of traffic with provisions of major bridges, flyovers and two tunnels of length of 770m & 710m.
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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
28-December, 2017 17:09 IST
NH between KARGIL to ZANSKAR
The Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Chemical and Fertilizers Shri Mansukh L Mandaviya while answering a question in Lok Sabha today informed that the Kargil to Zanskar section of highway is a newly declared National Highway (NH) No. 301 with existing carriageway width less than two-lane NH standard.

He informed that this NH is entrusted to State Public Works Department (PWD), Government of J&K for its development and maintenance as an implementing agency. He said that during last three years, this Ministry has sanctioned eleven works amounting to Rs.133.84 crores for the various development works on this NH. The State PWD has incurred an expenditure of about Rs. 40.0 crore on the sanctioned works till November, 2017.

*****

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/sc...ies-in-2017/article22319612.ece?homepage=true

December 28, 2017 19:58 IST
Updated: December 28, 2017 21:27 IST



Scientists reported high concentrations of sulphur on the Manali-Leh highway. It was caused by exhaust smoke from the trucks that provide supplies to the Indian army and the ones that carry tourists.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Water Resources
29-December, 2017 15:07 IST
Gadkari says No More Shrinkage of Majuli Island

Union Water Resources Minister lays Foundation Stone for Protection Work of Majuli Island from Flood and Erosion in Assam
Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Shri Nitin Gadkari has expressed the hope that on successful implementation of various scheme under protection of majuli island from flood and erosion there will be no more shrinkage of Majuli island and rather, it will be possible to reclaim the lost land which can be added to the main land area of Majuli with proper land management system. Laying the foundation stone of protection work of Majuli island from flood and erosion at Majuli in Assam today the Union Minister expressed the hope that the work would take off as planed and completed in two working seasons.

He said Brahmaputra Board started the work to protect the island from flood and erosion in January, 2004 in various phases as per the recommendations of the Standing Committee of Experts constituted by Union Water Resources Ministry. These works involved construction and strengthening of embankments, laying of RCC porcupine screens, construction of spurs and dampeners in various locations to train the river away from the bank and also as pro-siltation measure.

He said due to unprecedented floods which occurred during the monsoon in 2007, massive land erosion took place in lower Majuli. On the recommendations of the Standing Committee of Experts, Brahmaputra Board constructed and laid RCC porcupine screens and dampeners. The outcome of the works till 2007 were satisfactory and erosion could be contained in the most vulnerable reaches.

The Minister informed that from 2014 onwards, Brahmaputra Board undertook several works. Construction of four boulder spurs has been completed. Construction of the Spur No. 2 at Salmara is also nearing completion. The bank revetment have been completed. Both the tie-bunds were also completed. Construction and laying of RCC porcupine works are also mostly completed. All the five raised platforms have been handed over to the District Administration after completion. An amount of Rs. 189.07 crore has been incurred till November, 2017 on these projects.

Shri Gadkari said the works implemented by Brahmaputra Board has reversed the trend from erosion to siltation. The area of land mass of Majuli Island, which was 502.21 sq km in 2004 stood at 524.29 sq km as in November, 2016 as per satellite imagery. He said under the present Scheme Brahmaputra Board executes the scheme as recommended by a team of Experts – called the Technical Advisory Committee of Brahmaputra Board constituted by Union Water Resources Ministry. The Committee extensively toured the island in March, 2017 and suggested measures for further implementation. Based on these suggestions, Brahmaputra Board prepared a DPR for an amount of Rs.233.54 crore. Shri Gadkari said “ My Ministry cleared the project and it is my pleasure to mention here that the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MoDONER) has agreed to allocate an amount of Rs.207 crore and the balance amount is to be funded by Brahmaputra Board”.

The Minister informed that the scheme envisages four components, construction of geo-bag bank revetment works for a total length of 27 km. in the vulnerable reaches of Majuli, construction of RCC porcupine screens at 41 locations from, construction of a Pilot Channel and construction of a sluice at Birinabari.

Shri Nitin Gadkari also laid the foundation stone of the Brahmaputra Board office complex at Majuli to be constructed at an estimated cost of 40 crore. The Minister thanked the Chief Minister of Assam Shri Sarbananda Sonowal who was also present on the occasion for all out cooperation and assistance received from Govt. of Assam.

Majuli Island is surrounded by the mighty Brahmaputra River on the south, Kherkatia Suti, Luit Suti and Subansiri Rivers on the North and is susceptible to both floods and erosion almost every year. The geographical area of Majuli Island was 733.79 sq. km. in the year 1914 as per the Survey of India Map. The twin problems of flood and erosion reduced the geographical area to 502.21 sq km in 2004. In the sixties, Government of Assam constructed embankment to protect the island from floods, however, these embankments could offer marginal protection from flood as breaches occurred in many places. Erosion continued every year eating away precious land mass and shrinking the area of the island. On the request of Government of Assam, Union Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Ministry entrusted the Brahmaputra Board the task of ‘Protection of Majuli Island from Flood and Erosion’ in 2003.

***************
The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Nitin Gadkari at the reviewing meeting of National Highway Projects for North East States, at Kaziranga, Assam on December 29, 2017.

The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Nitin Gadkari chairing the reviewing meeting of National Highway Projects for North East States, at Kaziranga, Assam on December 29, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Jai Ram Thakur calling on the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, in New Delhi on December 29, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/kanwar-promises-bridge-over-govind-sagar-lake/521669.html

Our Correspondent

UNA, DECEMBER 31

Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar today said funds being spent under MGNREGA would be used to boost the livelihood of rural masses.

Addressing mediapersons here on his maiden visit to the district after being inducted into the Cabinet, he said micro enterprises would be boosted at the panchayat level. The minister said the Union and state governments had formulated a number of welfare schemes for the rural masses, but these need to be taken out of the files from the offices and implemented.

He said he would endeavour to check the mafia raj which had received patronage during the Congress rule.

He said Kutlehar was ignored during the last five years. The detailed project reports for the construction of a bridge over the Gobind Sagar lake linking Lathiani and Mandli villages, besides developing a water sports centre on the banks of the Gobind Sagar lake to promote tourism, would be prepared. Kanwar charged that the Congress government had put in the cold storage two check dam projects in Kutlehar, which were aimed at providing irrigation facilities.

The works would be revived to provide safe drinking water to every household. He announced Rs 5 lakh for the completion of works in the Press Club building here. Chintpurni MLA Balbir Chaudhary, former minister Parveen Sharma, Haroli BJP leader Ram Kumar and district BJP president Balbir Bagga were also present. Kanwar later paid obeisance to Dera Baba Rudru shrine in Nari village.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry for Development of North-East Region
01-January, 2018 18:20 IST

In a major boost to the Inland Waterway Transport System in the northeast, Union Shipping Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari on December 29, 2017 flagged off cargo movement on the Pandu-Dhubri route of the Brahmaputra river. Transportation of cargo on the National Waterway 2 -- from Pandu in Guwahati to Dhubri along the Assam-Bengal border would reduce logistics cost and save 300-km road travel. The 891-km stretch of the Brahmaputra river between Sadiya in the easternmost part of upper Assam and Dhubri was declared the National Waterway-2 in 1988. Five bridges would be constructed on the river to ease transportation. The bridges would connect Jorhat with Nematighat, Disangmukh with Tekeliphuta, Louit with Khablu, Numaligarh with Gohpur and North Guwahati with Guwahati, the union minister said at the flagging-off ceremony in Majuli Island in Assam. Another roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) ferry service to transfer passengers and vehicles in large numbers will start here soon, Shri Gadkari said. Dr Jitendra Singh said the Northeast is all set to get India’s first-ever "Air Dispensary" based in a helicopter and the DoNER Ministry has already contributed Rs. 25 crore as part of the initial funding for this initiative. The proposal put forward by the Ministry of DoNER, he said, has been accepted and is in the final stages of process in the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.

 

[Hindustani78]

A total of around 53,000 kms of NHs have been identified to improve National Corridor efficiency, of which 24,800 kms are to be taken up in Phase-I, which will be implemented over a period of five years i.e. 2017-18 to 2021-22 in a phased manner. This includes 5,000 kms of the National Corridors, 9000 kms of Economic Corridors, 6000 km of Feeder Corridors and lnter-Corridors, 2000 kms of Border Roads, 2,000 kms of Coastal Roads and Port Connectivity Roads and 800 kms of Green-field Expressways.

(ii) Chenani- Nashri Tunnel

An ideal example of the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Skill India’ initiative, the 9 km long, twin-tube, all-weather tunnel between Udhampur and Ramban in Jammu & Kashmir is not only India’s longest highway tunnel but also Asia’s longest bi-directional highway tunnel. Built at an elevation of 1200 metres on one of the most difficult Himalayan terrains, the tunnel cuts the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by two hours, bypassing about 41 kms of road length. It will also ensure an all-weather passage on a route that often sees heavy traffic jams and disruptions due to landslides, snow, sharp curves, breakdown of vehicles and accidents. The tunnel has been constructed at a cost of about Rs 3720 crores and is a part of the 286-km-long project for four-laning of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

(iii) Dhola Sadiya Bridge

The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, inaugurated India's longest bridge- the 9.15 km long Dhola-Sadiya Bridge over River Brahmaputra in Assam on 26th May 2017. The bridge has ensured 24x7 connectivity between upper Assam and Eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, marking a major transformation from the ferry-based, day-only connectivity that collapsed during floods. It has considerably reduced the distance and travel time between the two states. The distance between Rupai on NH- 37 in Assam to Meka/Roing on NH-52 in Arunachal Pradesh has been cut down by 165 KM. The travel time between the two places has come down from six hours to just one hour – a total five hour reduction.

(iv) Extra-dosed Bridge across River Narmada at Bharuch

A new four lane, Extra-dosed Bridge across river Narmada at Bharuch, inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 9th of March 2017, has brought major relief for people travelling on the Vadodara- Surat section of NH-8. The 1.4 km ‘Extradosed’ cable stayed bridge is the longest in India and the second such bridge in the country after Nivedita Setu over Hooghly.

(v) Bridge over River Chambal at Kota

A 6-lane Cable Stayed Bridge across river Chambal at Kota was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 29th August 2017. Built at a cost of Rs. 278 Crores, this bridge marks the completion of the East-West corridor.

2.3 Status/ Progress of important programmes/ projects under implementation

(i) Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna

The projects envisages development of easy access to the four prominent Dhams, namely, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedranath and Badrinath, situated in the state of Uttrakhand. These four Dhams are prominent pilgrimage centres. The project entails development of 889 km of roads with configuration of two-lane with paved shoulders at an estimated cost of about Rs. 12,000 crore. So far, 24 works have been sanctioned traversing a length of 395 kilometres. 22 works covering a length of 340 kilometre have been awarded. The projects are being taken up on EPC mode amd the program is targeted for completion by March, 2020

(ii) Eastern Peripheral Expressway– Western Peripheral Expressway

The project of Peripheral Expressways around Delhi, comprising Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) and Western Peripheral Expressway (WPE) emanating from NH-1 (near Kundli) and terminating at NH-2 (near Palwal), bypassing Delhi aims to decongest Delhi and reduce pollution levels in the NCR. While the EPE is being developed by the NHAI, the WPE is being developed by the State of Haryana. Each of these Expressways is 135 km long, leading to an outer-outer ring road of 270 kms for Delhi. These Peripheral Expressways are to be access controlled six-lane roads. The work, being executed in six packages, is due for completion before March 2018.

(iii) Delhi-Meerut Expressway

The Delhi-Meerut Expressway aims to provide a fast link between the two cities. The alignment of DME starts from Nizammudin Bridge from Delhi and follows existing NH 24 upto Dasna. While one leg of DME will continue from Dasna on NH 24 to Hapur, a Greenfield alignment has been planned from Dasna to Meerut. The 8.7 km, 14-lane highway is being completed in a record time of about 15 months as against the originbal scheduled completion period of 30 months. This first stretch from Nizamudin Bridge to UP Border is provisioned with with 14 lanes, and has several features that would help reduce pollution. These include a 2.5 metre wide cycle track on either side of the highway, a vertical garden on the Yamuna Bridge, solar lighting system and watering of plants through drip irrigation only.

(iv) Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway

The 473 km expressway will link Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway to Mumbai-Pune Expressway thus providing Expressway connectivity from Ahmedabad to Pune for a length of about 650 Km. The project will be taken up in three phases. Land acquisition, environment clearance etc are at advanced stage of approval for Phase I and II. Bids have also been invited for the First package of of phase -1.


(vi) Byet Dwarka – Okha Bridge

The Ministry has taken up constuction of a signature 4-lane Bridge to connect the mainland at Okha to Byet-Dwarka Island off the Gujarat Coast with this signature Bridge spanning a length of 2.32 kms. The Project has been awarded on 01.01.2018 at a cost of Rs. 689.47 crores. This will be the longest span cable stayed bridge in India with the main span of 500 mtrs. The project is scheduled to be completed in 30 months time.


Indian Bridge Management System (IBMS)

The Ministry took-up a new initiative, known as Indian Bridge Management System (IBMS), to inventorise all structures e.g. Bridges and culverts constructed on the National highways. The consultants have completed their report and also undertaken the condition assessment of all the existing bridges on National Highways. As such, inventory for more than 1,62,000 bridges and culverts has been completed. A total of 147 Bridges have been identified as distressed structures which call for immediate restoration/ replacements. A time-bound action plan to undertake repairs and restoration or construction of new bridges in place of the decadent structures has been put in place.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...-itbp-jawans-near-india-china-border-5007730/

By: Express News Service | Jammu | Published: January 1, 2018 9:39 pm

After spending the New Year’s Eve with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawans at Malti in the Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh began the year with the ITBP jawans stationed at Uttarkashi’s Nelong border outpost (BoP) near the India-China border. On Sunday evening Singh met the ITBP jawans and their families at Malti and attended the cultural programmes organised by the jawans to celebrate the New Year’s Eve. On Monday the minister visited the Nelong BoP located at around 11,636 feet where he interacted with the ITBP jawans.

“While the ITBP jawans have to serve at the BoPs for about three months, I have said that, if possible, the period must be reduced so that the jawans posted at BoPs remain healthy during their time at the BoPs,” he said while addressing the ITBP jawans, on Monday. Singh further said that currently the special lightweight clothing was being provided to the jawans posted above 14,000 ft, but “I have said that the special lightweight clothing must be provided to the jawans posted at BoPs at a height exceeding 9,000 ft.”

In September-October, last-year, during a four-day visit to Uttarakhand, Singh had visited Mana, and remote BoPs of Rimkhim and Lapthal near the Indian-China border.

 

[Hindustani78]

Special clothing, equipment for ITBP troopers posted above 9,000 feet, says Rajnath Singh

A senior official said the move means that 80% of the total ITBP strength will now be provided with the special equipment required to survive in extreme weather conditions.

Updated: Jan 01, 2018 23:25 IST

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...jnath-singh/story-lANrhGW3YgtWMNN6usAidN.html

HT correspondent
New Delhi, Hindustan Times

Union home minister Rajnath Singh with officers and jawans of Indo-Tibetan Border Police, at Nelong Border Out-Post, in Uttarkashi on Monday. (PTI)

Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the ministry was considering a proposal to provide special clothing and mountaineering equipment (SCME) to paramilitary forces posted in areas that are located above 9,000 feet in the Himalayas.

At present, the SCME is provided to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) troopers posted at an altitude of above 14,000 feet.

A senior ITBP official told Hindustan Times the move means that 80% of the total ITBP strength will now be provided with the special equipment required to survive in extreme weather conditions.

The announcement was made by Singh during his visit to the Forward Areas of the Himalayan borders in Uttarakashi district. Singh ringed in the new year with the troops of the ITBP at Nelong border post located at a height of 11,636 feet in Uttarakhand, where the mercury dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius on Monday.

This was the first time a home minister or a senior Union minister paid a visit to this border post. The home minister also said that a special project was underway to connect all the border outposts along the Sino-India frontier with roads.

The minister also said the government was considering to reduce the three-month mandatory posting of ITBP troopers in extremely high altitude camps.

A senior government official told HT that a trooper ends up serving more than three months at high altitude camps due to a shortage of manpower in the workforce.

“This aspect has been brought to ministry’s notice. Besides ensuring that a jawan does not end up serving for more than the allotted three month period, MHA is considering to bring down the number of days that a soldier is mandated to serve,” the official said.

(With agency inputs)

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...truct-14k-border-bunkers-jitendra/522075.html


Posted at: Jan 2, 2018, 1:13 AM; last updated: Jan 2, 2018, 1:13 AM (IST)
Central agency to construct 14k border bunkers: Jitendra

People take shelter in a bunker after a ceasefire violation along the International Border. Tribune file Photo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 1

The Centre today said the proposed bunkers along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, which are being funded by the Union Home Ministry, would now be constructed directly by a Central agency.

The Central Public Works Department or the National Building Construction Corporation are likely to be entrusted with the task of constructing the bunkers along the border in the state.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has conveyed to the J&K Government the sanction of Rs 415.73 crore for the construction of 14,460 bunkers (both individual and community bunkers) in the state.

This was disclosed by Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh in New Delhi today while briefing the media about some of the important projects to be undertaken in New Year in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.

Jitendra expressed his gratitude to Home Minister Rajnath Singh for accepting the request to undertake the construction of bunkers along the IB and LoC in J&K directly by a Central agency in order to avoid further delay and to ensure transparency.

He said the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had written to the Jammu and Kashmir Government to submit a detailed list containing the exact location of the large community bunkers as well as a list of individual bunkers as per the conditions and norms laid down for the purpose.

The MoS in the PMO JitendraSingh, requested the state government to expedite its response so that the execution of the work could be carried forward at the earliest.

Rs 415 crore okayed

• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has conveyed to the J&K Government the sanction of Rs 415.73 crore for the construction of 14,460 bunkers (both individual and community bunkers) along the border in the state
• The Central Public Works Department or the National Building Construction Corporation are likely to be entrusted with the task of constructing the bunkers

 

[Screambowl]

yeh BRO waley aise roads bnate hai ki har barish mein dhul jti hai

 

[Hindustani78]

January 03, 2018 20:00 IST
Updated: January 03, 2018 20:00 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-cr-zojila-tunnel-project/article22360209.ece

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved the ₹6,808-crore Zojila Tunnel project in Jammu and Kashmir that will provide year-round connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh when completed.

Currently, Leh-Ladakh is cut off from the rest of India for almost six months due to heavy snowfall and threat of avalanches.

The project aims to construct a 14.15-km long two-lane bidirectional single tube tunnel with a parallel 14.2-km long egress or parallel escape tunnel, excluding approaches between Baltal and Minamarg in the state, an official release said.

The government added that the project will be an instrument for the development of the economically backward districts in J&K.

The construction period of the project is estimated at seven years with a civil construction cost of ₹4,899.42 crore. The total capital cost of the project is ₹6,808.69 crore, which includes the cost towards land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities as well as the maintenance and operation cost of tunnel for four years.

The project will be implemented by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways through National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.

The government said this project, along with other ongoing projects such as the 6.5-km long Z-Morh tunnel at Gagangir, would ensure safe, fast and cheap connectivity between the two regions of Kashmir and Ladakh.

“Zojila Tunnel project will further increase the employment potential for the local labourers for the project activities,” the statement said, adding that on completion, the project would lead to enormous boost in employment as local businesses get linked to national market and the region is able to receive tourist traffic round the year.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...onstruction/story-1Op2EFoJuIIAUnTwkPZNeJ.html

According to the cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the construction of the tunnel will provide all weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh and bring about all round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions.

Updated: Jan 03, 2018 16:12 IST
Indo Asian News Service, New Delhi

The main objective of the project is to provide all-whether connectivity to strategically important Leh region in Jammu and Kashmir which at the moment is limited to at best six months because of snow on the passes and threat of avalanches.(Waseem Andrabi/HT Photo)

• The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the construction, operation and maintenance of two-lane bi-directional Zojila Tunnel with Parallel Escape (Egress) Tunnel.
  
  According to the cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the construction of the tunnel will provide all weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh and bring about all round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions.
  
  “The project has strategic and socio-economic importance and shall be an instrument for the development of the economically backward districts in Jammu and Kashmir,” said an official statement.
  
  According to the government, the construction period of the project is seven years which shall be reckoned from the date of commencement of construction. The civil construction cost of the project is Rs 4,899.42 crore.
  
  The main objective of the project is to provide all-whether connectivity to strategically important Leh region in Jammu and Kashmir which at the moment is limited to at best six months because of snow on the passes and threat of avalanches.
  

 

[Hindustani78]

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA
)3 -January, 2018 02:23IST

Cabinet approves construction, operation and maintenance of 2-lane bi-directional Zojila tunnel with parallel escape tunnel in J&K

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the construction, operation and maintenance of 2-lane bi-directional Zojila Tunnel with Parallel Escape (Egress) Tunnel excluding approaches on Srinagar-Leh section connecting NH-1A at Km 95.00 and at Km 118.00 in Jammu & Kashmir on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. 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 shall be an instrument for the development of the economically backward districts in Jammu & Kashmir.

Project Details:

• The construction period of the project is seven years which shall be reckoned from the date of commencement of construction.
• The civil construction cost of the project is Rs 4899.42 crore.
• The total capital cost of the project is Rs 6808.69 crore. It includes the cost towards Land Acquisition, Resettlement & Rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities as well as Maintenance and Operation cost of tunnel for four years.
• 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 excluding approaches between Baltal & Minamarg in the State of J&K.
• The construction of approaches of this tunnel is being undertaken separately.
• The project will be implemented by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H) through National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

Impact:

• 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 because of snow on the passes and threat of avalanches.
• This project alongwith 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.
• It will further increase the employment potential for the local labourers for the project activities.
• The project, on completion, would lead to enormous boost in employment as local businesses get linked to National market and the beautiful region is able to receive round the year tourist traffic.
• These sectors will generate employment at multiple levels.

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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
4 -January, 2018 05:47IST
Connectivity for remote and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas

In 2009, a Road Requirement Plan (RRP) for improvement of road connectivity in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas of 34 Districts in 8 States. Original RRP envisages development of 5565 km length of National Highways & State roads to 2 lane at a cost of Rs.7300 crore. As per proposals received from State PWDs based on site requirement, a length of 5422 km was sanctioned for Rs. 8585 crores.

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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
4 -January, 2018 05:46IST

Renovation of Roads in Assam

Rehabilitation of road from NH-15 Dhalpur center to Rajgarh via Simaluguri Letekujan under Inter State Connectivity in the State of Assam has been sanctioned for Rs.40.47 crore in 2017-18. Total 87 No. of proposals were submitted by the State Government of Assam for ‘in-principle’ approval under EI (13 Nos.) and ISC (74 Nos.) in 2017-18.

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 Lok Sabha today.

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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
4 -January, 2018 05:45IST


Construction of Bridges over Brahmaputra

Three bridges have been proposed for construction by the Government over the River Brahmaputra. Consultancy services for the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for these bridges have been awarded. The detailed of these bridges are given as follows:






Sl. No
NH No.
Location
Tentative Length (km)
Agency entrusted
Status of DPR



1.
127B
Between Dhubri in Assam and Phulbari in Meghalaya
14
NHIDCL
Draft DPR prepared



2.
52 & 37
Between Gohpur on NH-52 and Numaligarh on NH-37
12
NHIDCL
Under preparation



3.
715
Between Kaupati and Rowta
12
PWD Assam
Under preparation




1026 km of National Highways in Assam have been approved for four-laning. Out of this ,12km is under implementation with State PWD, Assam, 649km with National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and 365km with National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). Four laning of roads from Numaligarh to Jhanji has been awarded by NHIDCL in two packages on EPC mode under which the concessionaire/contractor is responsible for maintenance works during construction. . The status of 4-laning from Numaligarh – Jhanji is as follows :









Sl. No
NH
NH Section
Length (km)
Agency
Progress





1
37
Four Laning of Numaligarh to Jorhat section from Km. 402.500 to Km. 453.000 (Design Km 403.200 to Km 454.240) except Dergaon bypass (with Toll Plaza)
39.72

NHIDCL
(i) Financial Progress - 16.09%
(ii) Physical Progress - 8.97%



2
37
Four Laning of Jorhat to Jhanji section from Km. 453.00 to Km. 491.08
37.8
NHIDCL
Work awarded to M/s GDCL on 09.11.2017.



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 Lok Sabha today.



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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways4 -January, 2018 05:43IST
Road-widening projects in NER
The Government has planned road-widening projects in the North Eastern States of Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram. These roads are meant for improving the connectivity of the North Eastern States with the South-East Asian countries, and the socio-economic condition of the region. The roads in Meghalaya are to enhance the connectivity with Bangladesh through Dawki and Dalu and also to facilitate connectivity to Border Haats located on the south west Khasi Hills and South Garo Hill districts of the state. The details of ROAD-WIDENING PROJECTS IN NER is as follows-




S. No
State
Programme
Scope of work
Category of road
Road Length (in Km)
Neighbouring Country


1
Meghalaya
Phase 'A' of SARDP-NE
Upgradatio of Mawthabah Wahkaji-Phiangdiloin-Ranikor road to 2-lane
State road
47
Bangladesh


2
Meghalaya
Phase 'A' of SARDP-NE
Upgradation of Ranikor-Nonghyliam-Maheshkhola-Baghmara road to 2-lane
State road
139
Bangladesh


3
Meghalaya
Phase 'B' of SARDP-NE
2 laning from Assam/Meghalaya border to Dalu via Baghmara
NH-62
161
Bangladesh


4
Meghalaya
Bharatmala Pariyojana
Dawki - Shillong
NH-40
95
Bangladesh


5
Manipur
Bharatmala Pariyojana
Imphal - Moreh
NH-39
106
Myanmar


6
Mizoram
Bharatmala Pariyojana
Zorinpui - Lunglei (Kaladan NH-502A)
NH-502A
172
Myanmar


7
Mizoram
Bharatmala Pariyojana
Kawarpuchiah - Seling (Seling - Theiriat (NH-54); Theiriat - Lunglei - Kawrpuichhuah NH-302)
NH-54 & NH-302
294
Bangladesh


8
Mizoram
Bharatmala Pariyojana
Zowkhathar - Kawlkulh (Kawlkulh - Champai - Zowkhathar)
NH-6/State road
92
Myanmar

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 Lok Sabha today.



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[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/after-10-years-asafwala-bridge-repaired/523671.html

Our Correspondent
Abohar, January 4

After a 10-year-long wait, the Asafwala bridge was finally renovated giving relief to hundreds of villagers.

The bridge on the Asafwala drain on the Abohar-Kandhwala Amarkot road had been damaged for the last 10 years. The issue was also raised before then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who visited flood-affected areas in 2014, but to no avail.

About a month ago, when SDM Poonam Singh inspected some of the damaged bridges, she was told that hundreds of vehicles passed through 32 damaged bridges in the Abohar subdivision.

The officials of the Drainage, Irrigation, PWD and the Punjab Mandi Board had cited fund crunch. However, regular monitoring has now resulted in the renovation of the bridge. The residents said the renovation would help in preventing mishaps.