Jammu: The prestigious Mughal Road Project,
which will connect Kashmir Valley`s mountainous Shopian
district with the border district of Poonch in Jammu region as
an alternative highway, is likely to be completed by March
2013.
According to the the Action Taken Report (ATR) for the
year 2011-12, 83 per cent of the road length (70 kms out of a total 84 kms) has already been blacktopped by November 15, 2011.
Another seven kms. are expected to be completed in few
weeks, which shall enable 90 per cent of smooth riding surface to road users, it said.
The project`s seven major bridges and allied minor works
will be completed by this year, the report said.
It achieved financial progress of Rs 429.27 crore ending
March 2011, the report said, adding the expenditure on the
project was Rs 486.80 crore as on November 15th last year,
which amounts to approximately 77 per cent of the costs.
The concerned department is foreseeing a cumulative
expenditure of Rs 540 crore ending March 2012, subject to
availability of funds and favourable conditions in the area.
The project retraces the route traversed during the Mughal
era, while travelling from Lahore to Kashmir via Rajouri and
Poonch border districts over a century ago.
PTI
