Centre must focus on restoration of  Jammu-Sgr, Jammu-Pathankot highways

The Centre and the Lt Governor’s administration must focus on restoration of both Jammu-Srinagarand Jammu-Pathankot Highways  shut down for the last  28 days.  Due to which the discrimination with Jammu region especially has crossed all limits and the people are suffering badly due to deliberate neglect. Bali Nalla, Bali Village  in Udhampur , the sight of landslide of NH-44 said that the worst example of this bias is National Highway Authority of India. Despite being the only major road connecting Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country, it remains in a pathetic condition- full of potholes, damaged bridges, landslide- prone stretches, and incomplete tunnels. Thousands of crores have already been spent, but there is no accountability, no quality work, and no completion in sight. The daily suffering of commuters, traders, students, and patients travelling on this highway exposes the utter failure of the government.  Questioning why the Centre is wasting huge public money on unnecessary projects like the Amritsar-Jammu Express Road, when the existing 8- lane Amritsar-Jammu road already serves the purpose, while NH-44 is left to collapse. This clearly shows that Jammu’s genuine needs are being ignored and funds are being diverted only to showcase projects for political mileage.  An Accountability of the agencies involved in NH-44 works, strict action against corrupt contractors who used substandard material and a clear timebound completion should be fixed on NHAI authority  and contractors engaged  in the work. Unless Statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir and a democratically elected government be allowed to act freely in J&K the voices of Jammu and Kashmir will continue to be suppressed and people will remain victims of step-motherly treatment.  Angry Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already said the central government has failed to ensure the restoration of the Srinagar–Jammu-Pathankot  National Highways, which has remained closed for 28 days due to landslides. if the Centre was unable to reopen the road, the state government has no option other than to jump in fray to take over the task. Even though the highway comes under the jurisdiction of the central government and agencies working under it. “If they cannot handle it, then let them hand it over to us. We have engineers and staff who can restore the road. If this highway was under my administration, we would have already worked out a solution. Notable, the continue highway closure has hit fruit growers in the Valley, who depend on smooth transport of their produce to outside markets. The issue was not limited to fruit growers but also concerned the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to the valley.  Reflecting on the recent weather challenges,  the torrential rains on August 14 triggered landslides, while the downpours of August 26–27 were several times heavier than the regional average. These conditions led to recurring blockages along the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, disrupting traffic and supply chains. Despite tall claims of the Lt Governor’s administration that Highway in through and large number  of trucks laden with fruits released, but administration took 28 days  to clear few trucks standraded on Highway. However, experts told that  the 250-km-long Jammu-Srinagar national highway (NH-44), considered the lifeline of Kashmir, continues to reel under the impact of torrential rains and landslides, with full restoration expected to take several months. While partial connectivity has been restored, a major hurdle remains the reconstruction of a critical bridge, road at Tharad in Udhampur district, which may take at least six months to complete. Landslide risk at Tharad still continue as  hill of around 150 meters at Tharad has started shifting. The entire hill has started moving and has already covered three of the four lanes of the highway. Only one lane is operational for traffic. The worst-hit points include Tharad Bridge, Balli Nullah and both carriageways at Samroli. Let us see, whether the centre govt has fixed responsibility of damage ing road and bridges on Highways at the NHAI Engineers , top officials with out further delay or will sit like mute spectators on this crucial issue where in NHAI has wasted thousands of crores rupees of the tax payers.