Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday reviewed the status of the roads and drinking water in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir and in a later meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, offered financial assistance out of the Central Roads Funds (CRF).
Array
Array
Gadkari said, "Today I took a survey of the damage to the roads in the aftermath of the floods that hit the state, along with Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh. I also wanted to know the status of the drinking water in the state and of 6663 drinking water schemes, 2195 schemes were damaged by the floods. I have directed that these schemes be reopened and provided Rs 50 crores and said that if more money is required, it shall be provided."
Array
Array
Also Read
Array
Speaking of the repair of the roads, Gadkari said, "From the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, we have offered help to all villages that have been isolated due to damaged roads and bridges and have offered the help of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for the same. I have also directed the state authorities to inform the BRO of any emergencies as far as the state highway is concerned. We are also going to construct a massive tunnel in Leh-Ladakh for better connectivity in that region."
Array
Array
Speaking of his meeting with Omar Abdullah, Gadkari said, "I met Omar Abdullah who asked for the CRA fund and I granted him Rs 125 crores for Kashmir and an additional Rs 100 crores for Leh-Ladakh and Jammu. I suggested that the silt at the bottom of the rivers be used for construction so that the flow of the rivers is streamlined and there is little chance of them flooding again. I also suggested that a scientific study be made of all the gradients in the state and a long term and immediate plan be formulated so that the problem of water being choked-up is not repeated again.
Array
Array
On September 16, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was reopened for vehicular traffic after remaining closed for 13 days due to landslides triggered by incessant rains which had hit the state.