Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra today called for giving "high importance" to rapid development of border areas in all the three regions of the state besides ensuring proper facilities for people living along the international border.
Speaking at the Governor's Conference here, Vohra, who is heading the administration of the state in the absence of an elected government following fractured mandate in December assembly polls, also emphasised on providing adequate facilities in areas located along the international border in the state.
Vohra said that development of areas located along the border and the Line of Control could be ensured with better road connectivity.
The state 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.
He asked the Centre for a sharp increase in the allocation of funds for development of border areas besides increasing the manpower of Border Roads Organisation which is unable to manage the work load in its present form.
He also wanted 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.
The Governor flagged the issue of delay in construction of the Zojila Tunnel and pointed out the tactical importance of alternative routes and all-weather road networks.
Among the links suggested for better connectivity of the state with the plains and between the three regions, he suggested urgent upgrading of 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 ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Jammu region, the Governor emphasised the need for adequate facilities to the rural population residing in the villages along the border and beyond.
