Legislators seek CRIF upgrade for Anantnag-Dooru-Verinag, Achabal-Shangus-Chatapal roads

Srinagar, Feb 22: Legislators from Anantnag district have sought the inclusion of the 25-km Anantnag-Dooru-Verinag (ADV) road and the Achabal-Shangus-Chatapal road under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), urging Deputy Chief Minister and Public Works (R&B) Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary to expedite their upgradation.

In a joint representation, MLAs Ghulam Ahmad Mir (Dooru), Peerzada Muhammad Syed (Anantnag), and Abdul Majeed Larmi (Anantnag West) sought approval for the construction and improvement of the Anantnag-Dooru-Verinag (ADV) road, specifically the stretch from Mehandi Kadal in Anantnag town to Verinag, measuring 25 km.

Calling it a matter of ìutmost public importance,î the legislators said the ADV road begins at Mehandi Kadal-Anantnag and passes through Anantnag Central, Anantnag West, and Dooru constituencies before culminating at Verinag.

They said that the road runs parallel to the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44), enhancing its strategic and economic importance.

ìThis road serves as a vital link for thousands of commuters, connecting major destinations, educational institutions, and economic centres,î the letter states.

They said the stretch is currently ìin deteriorated condition, causing inconvenience to the public, hampering smooth transportation of goods, and posing safety risks.î

ìAs such, we request inclusion of Construction/Improvement of Road from Mehandi Kadal-Anantnag to Verinag (25 km) under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF),î the legislators wrote, seeking the ministerís intervention for early approval.

Minister outlines CRIF, NABARD norms

In his written response, the minister said the department is in the process of recommending road and bridge projects under CRIF and for NABARD loan assistance, and that proposals pertaining to the constituencies concerned are under examination.

He asked the MLAs to confirm their recommendations in writing within five days and detailed the funding criteria.

ìThe estimated cost of the project(s) shall not be more than Rs 50 crore and minimum length be over 10 km in case of district roads providing connectivity to larger areas,î the minister said. ìLarger projects over Rs 50 crore can also be taken on the joint recommendation of two or three MLAs of adjoining constituencies providing inter-regional connectivity,î he said.

Under NABARD, he said, ìOne to three encumbrance-free road and bridge projects should be recommended with a cumulative cost of Rs 10 crore.î

He said that 15 to 20 km of road may be proposed for renewal coating or macadamisation under C&T subject to the condition that the road is beyond the defect liability period and not in good condition.

ìIt shall be appreciated if the recommendations are received within five days,î he said.

Proposal for Achabal-Shangus-Chatapal road

In a separate joint representation, MLAs Reyaz Ahmad Khan (Anantnag West-Shangus), Zafar Ali Khatana (Kokernag) and Abdul Majeed  Larmi (Anantnag West) sought CRIF funding for the 25-km Achabal-Shangus-Chatapal road. Describing it as a key link leading to several tourist destinations particularly Chatapal, they wrote that the road ìis presently in a dilapidated condition since longî and requires urgent upgradation.

They urged the minister to facilitate its inclusion under CRIF at the earliest.