JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary today said that the government is committed to connect every habitation with robust road connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by legislator Javid Hassan Baig in the Legislative Assembly.
He further informed that a structured and phased approach is being adopted for road development through flagship schemes such as PMGSY, CRIF, NABARD (RIDF), and UT Capex, in accordance with the J&K Road Policy-2021. He added that the planning, sanctioning and execution processes of projects under these schemes are time bound and subjected to regular reviews and monitoring. This will ensure timely completion and delivery of safe, durable and all weather road connectivity across the Union Territory, he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that under the Supreme Court directions for well maintained and safe motorable roads, the Public Works (R&B) Department is undertaking construction, upgradation and systematic maintenance of road infrastructure across the UT under various Central Sector Schemes (CSS) and UT Sector schemes.
He said that the J&K Road Policy-2021 has been notified to ensure assured funding, transparency and planned maintenance. He added that the roads are being planned and executed as per IRC standards, with in-built safety provisions such as crash barriers, signage, road furniture, identification of accident-prone locations and mandatory maintenance during and after construction.
The Deputy Chief Minister also said that special emphasis is being laid on connectivity to remote, hilly and inaccessible areas to ensure equitable development. He said that the Directorate Investigation & Quality Control (DIQC) wing of the Public Works (R&B) Department is mandated to ensure planning excellence, technical soundness and uncompromising quality in creation and maintenance of road and bridge infrastructure. He added that the DIQC is entrusted to ensure road infrastructure across J&K is safe, durable, reliable and serviceable in all seasons, thereby supporting economic activity, social inclusion and regional integration.
The Deputy CM said that DIQC is responsible for technical vetting, quality assurance and compliance with prescribed standards.