11 roads, 4 bridges with 164 KM length completed in FY 2021
Connectivity to Dachhan, Marwah and Warwan being given top priority
Kishtwar, Mar 3: District Kishtwar is one of the most difficult mountainous regions of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, which is known for its vastness, tough terrain and a huge snow bound area which remains cut off for 4-5 months.
Road connectivity has been a biggest challenge in the district, but with the introduction of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in 2000, several habitations have been connected with the nearest urban centres in a phased manner.
As per PMGSY department, 11 roads of 164.52 KM length and 4 bridges have been completed during the current financial year, while the work on several roads is in full swing in the far flung Dachhan, Marwah and Warwan areas and will be completed by end of this FY.
In the District, all unconnected habitations with above 250 population, have been covered under the scheme.
The District has been divided in 3 PMGSY Divisions viz Kishtwar, Paddar and Chatroo and each division is striving to provide fair weather road connectivity to the areas meeting the criteria.
A large number of sanctioned road works could not be started on time due to delay in mandatory clearances, difficult terrain and short working period in snow bound areas. However, work on a substantial number of pending roads has been started during the last one year by removing bottlenecks amid a changed governance system.
With the keen interest of District Development Commissioner, Ashok Sharma and dedicated efforts of PMGSY Engineers, 11 roads and 4 bridges have been completed.
The far flung areas of Dachhan,Marwah and Warwan areas present a very encouraging example of road development projects. Despite a very short working season of 5-6 month and unfavourable terrain and climate, the PMGSY has completed a major chunk of work on the roads taken up in these areas.
To provide connectivity to Marwah Warwan and Dachhan area, the PMGSY has taken up the 25. 500 KM Margan to Inshan Road at an estimated cost of Rs 34 crore to connect these long neglected zones.
The road from Ikhala to Lopara Dachhan is another project which will provide alternate connectivity to this area and serve a population of 22000 souls.
These roads on completion will restore connectivity to the Dachhan, Warwan and Marwah valley with the Kishtwar on one hand and with the Kashmir Valley via District Anantnag on the other hand.
The road from Ikhala to Lopara Dachhan area is the only alternate all-weather road from the same area undertaken by PMGSY.
With construction of such all weather roads, the socio-economic condition of the inhabitants of the stated villages will certainly improve and the habitants will have better access to schools, health centres and markets.
With many tourist spots along these roads, thousands of tourists visit these destinations. The famous Kishtwar National Park and Hudth Mata surrounded with sprawling meadows and mountains attract many tourists both in summers and winters.
Another instance worth citing is up-gradation of Link Road from Kawar to Cherji in PMGSY Division Kishtwar. With a length of 7.95 KM, sanctioned at a cost of Rs 5.78 cr. would benefit a population of 3600 souls.
This scheme was sanctioned under PMGSYS-I, in the year 2018-19 (Phase XII). The earlier road was in a damaged condition and was not serving as the all weather road.
Cherji village is also the start point of another route to village Pullar which is a major tourist attraction and pilgrimage destination.
