The completion of these projects will positively impact the trade, industrialization and tourism in our state in a big way and reshape our future budgetary structure. I proceed to cover progress in some of the big ticket infrastructure projects.

Udhampur-Qazigund rail-link
Civil works on the railway connection between Udhampur and Qazigund are going on smoothly without any reported bottleneck. The project is scheduled to be completed by the year 2017. Recently, the Central Government approved its revised cost at Rs 19,000 crore.

National Highway 1A
As per the latest available reports, the work of four laning and upgrading National Highway 1A is progressing in four out of six segments between Nagrota and Srinagar. The remaining two segments are going through a process of re-bidding. The delay is a cause of concern. We have requested the Central Government to get the allotment of works on these two segments expedited or to authorize their execution in EPC mode.

Mughal Road

The Mughal Road has already been opened to vehicular traffic for summer months. The cumulative expenditure on this project is expected to reach Rs 535 crore in the current financial year as against its approved cost of ` 640 crore. The remaining Rs 105 crore are proposed to be allocated during the next year for completing the ongoing road works and bridges.

Airports
We have requested the Union Government to fully equip the Srinagar International Airport and operationalise it for international flights, and also to expedite the work of expansion of the Jammu Airport. We hope that early steps shall be taken by the Centre on both these important projects.

Toll Plaza
Work on the new Toll Plaza at Lakhanpur has been almost completed at a cost of over Rs 32 crore. We are hoping for the early transfer of 108 kanals of railway land to us for developing it into an additional parking area. Work on the additional import side bridge over river Ravi is also likely to be completed by the Central Government authorities in the near future.

Power Sector
Under the New Hydel Policy, all hydel projects of upto 10 megawatt capacity have been reserved for execution by the permanent residents of the State. Offers have been invited for the construction of 10 Mini Hydel Projects in Kashmir and Jammu regions with a total identified capacity of 172 megawatts, involving investment of nearly Rs 1,200 crore. Offers from 61 prospective entrepreneurs have been received and are presently under scrutiny.

Pakal Dul HEP with 1000 MW capacity has been tendered out by the joint venture company of the J&K State Power Development Corporation. The Corporation is also going ahead with the execution of 450 MW Baglihar HEP – Stage II. Additionally, Ganderbal HEP, Parnai HEP, Lower Kalnai, Pahalgam Stage III, Mini Hydel Projects at Dah and Hanu in Ladakh region and Machil HEP have also been put through the tendering process. The Pahalgam III & Machil HEPs are expected to be completed next year. The combined installed capacity of these HEPs shall be around 200 MWs.

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