KL Report
SRINAGAR
Speaking at the two-days Conference of Governors chaired by President of India, Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra Thursday stressed the need of very high importance being given to the rapid development of border areas in the three regions of J&K.
Pointing out that there can be no development without effective connectivity, the Governor stressed that J&K had a very poor road network, which leads to unsatisfactory and costly transport and very high unit costs of construction and other materials, including consumer items, essentially because of the very high transportation costs from the plains.
The Governor argued for a very large increase in the annual allocations for the Border Blocks under the Border Area Development Programme and at least a fourfold enlargement of BRO which, in its present form, cannot handle the very large work load which is required to be done.
He also urged much better attention to the maintenance of roads and highways and a number of tunnels being constructed to enable all weather links in the State. He complained about the delay in the construction of the Zojila Tunnel and pointed out the tactical importance of alternative routes and all weather road networks.
Among the links suggested by him, for better connecting J&K with the plains and between the three regions the Governor suggested the urgent upgrading of the Dhar-Udhampur road, construction of a road via Bilaspur-Rohtang Pass to connect Ladakh and a new road Korzok-Taklingla to enable all weather movements to the Valley and Ladakh.
Referring to the sustained Cease Fire Violations by Pakistan across the IB in Jammu region, the Governor emphasized the need for adequate facilities being provided to the rural population residing in the villages along the IB and beyond.
