Kashmir unrest hits construction of strategic roads in J&K

NEW DELHI: The unrest in Kashmir has delayed the construction of strategic roads in Jammu and Kashmir, which when completed would boost the military's ability to mobilise faster in adverse areas, the government said today.

The four-laning works on Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri, which was scheduled for completion by July, has been delayed, while the handing over of the Sinathan Pass-Anantnag road to NHAI will be postponed as the pending work on it will now go beyond September, the Defence Ministry said.

In addition, many vehicles and equipment have been damaged, non-availability of which will directly affect the work efficiency.

The most affected locations where delay or loss of work has been seen are Tangdhar, Anantnag, Kupwara and Bandipur sectors, a statement by the Defence Ministry said.

It added that majority of the non-local labours from the Valley have moved out of state in search of work due to the continuous disturbance.

"Movement and shifting of the material to forward areas have also hampered the work in Ladakh region which will severely impinge on the completion of strategic roads and spending of allotted funds," the statement said.

The ongoing unrest in Kashmir Valley has adversely affected the road construction activities undertaken by Border Road Organisation, it said.

The Ministry stressed that BRO has suffered loss of more than three months of working season during summers and it is of serious concern, while endeavours are being made to execute work whenever and wherever possible.

"But owing to restrictions on movement of vehicles and persons, desired progress could not be made and as a result many appreciated targets perforce will have to be revised," it said.