Elaborating further Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space and MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the proposal for Chhatergala tunnel had been initiated about six years back and the DPR was also prepared by the BRO agency of ‘Beacons’ but due to lack of funds it could not be undertaken.
He said now it has been decided that the NHAI will undertake construction of the new national highway from Lakhanpur to Basohli-Bani to Bhaderwah-Doda. The construction from one end and when it reaches the tunnel site the construction of the historic Chhatergala tunnel will also be executed, he added.
Once this highway is complete, said Dr. Jitendra Singh, it will be a game changer as it will provide an all-weather connectivity between Lakhanpur and district Doda via tourist spots of Basohli and Bani, in addition to reducing the travel time considerably and giving a boost to business, employment and revenue generation.
Referring to the under construction Delhi-Katra express corridor, Dr. Jitendra Singh recalled that the express corridor had been approved after lot efforts which began way back in 2015 and there were initial delays because Punjab had also demanded a similar express corridor for Amritsar highway between Delhi and Amritsar and finally after arriving at a compromise to have an express corridor between Delhi and Katra with a stop over at Amritsar and Kathua the project was finalized.
He informed that the express corridor is in the last phase of its completion and expressed satisfaction that the public demand for the construction of underpasses at places like Hatli, Rajbagh, Chann Arorian, Chapper and Kootah had been accepted for the convenience of the local population. In the same constituency Dr. Jitendra Singh said the work on the national highway section of Kishtwar Chatru will also be expedited which will provide an alternative road connectivity for ease of travel.
While expressing gratitude to the government headed by Shri Narendra Modi for having allocated major highway projects to his Lok Sabha Constituency Dr. Jitendra Singh said the work on another prestigious project of Chenani-Sudhmahadev national highway will also be expedited. He further informed that the new national highway between via Khileni to Goha will have proper linkage to the adjoining villages of Bergana, Humbal and Kalota which happens to be his own native village.
As the Minister representing J&K in the Union Council Dr. Jitendra Singh also appreciated the MoRTH Minister for giving a special focus to the ongoing projects of Srinagar-Sonamarg section, Zojila tunnel, Jammu Rajouri highway and the two ring roads of Srinagar and Jammu respectively.