R&B deptt falling short of funds to carry forward temporary restoration

25 cr spent: 169 approach roads, 42 roads and 28 bridges yet to restore in Jammu

PS BALI

Jammu, October 17: Despite spending huge amount of money on the temporary restoration of roads and bridges across the Jammu region, the Roads and Buildings (R&B) division of Public Works Department (PWD), has failed miserably to resurrect large portion of infrastructure in the affected areas, due to lack of funds.

Official of the R&B, wishing anonymity said that they have released more than Rs 25 crore for the temporary restoration of the damaged roads and bridges, across the Jammu region. He said, “We have released more than 25 crore rupees for the temporary restoration of the damaged infrastructure, but still large portion of motor-able roads and bridges remain untouched, because of lack of grants,” he said.

He added that to revive motor-able communication, the department have temporarily restored 2666 road links out of damaged 2708 roads, with a total stretch of 2692 kilometers in the ten districts of the Jammu province, while the work on the rest of roads is on halt due to lack of sufficient funds.

“The work on, at least 42 roads, 20 approach roads to the major bridges and 149 approach roads to the foot bridges is on halt due to insufficient funds,” he said, adding that the department is falling short of adequate funds to temporarily restore the affected infrastructure.

“The department is falling short of funds to temporarily restore the affected roads and bridges, especially in the hilly regions of the province. I am afraid how they would arrange funds for permanent restoration, which is much more than what temporary restoration takes,” said official of R&B department.

Official informed that the recent floods affected 2708 roads, 54 approach roads to the major bridges and 177 approach roads to the foot bridges in 10 districts of the Jammu.

“The engineers of the R&B department have temporarily restored road network of 2666 roads, besides 34 approach roads to the major bridges and 28 to the foot bridges,” said official, adding that people of hilly terrains, especially Poonch continues to suffer, as around 28 affected bridges are still not restored for vehicular traffic and pedestrian movement.

While talking to Greater Kashmir, Chief Engineer, R&B, Abdul Hamid, said that they have pressed all necessary machinery for the restoration of the road connectivity in the region and have succeeded in temporarily restoring it. But due to the extensive damage to the infrastructure at many places, especially of approach roads, temporary restoration won’t work.

He said, “Both the governments are very serious in early restoration, as central teams are personally visiting affected areas to estimate the loss,” adding that for some areas, where temporary restoration is not possible, tendering process is under progress.

He informed that assessment of losses due to road network in Jammu region has been put at about Rs 400 crore and proposal has been submitted with the respective governments.