In a significant development, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs 90 crore for construction of new roads and bridges in Kashmir.
The amount will be released to the state government in three annual instalments—1st instalment will be 30 percent of the loan amount, 2nd will be 40 percent and 3rd will be 30 percent.
NABARD has sanctioned the loan for construction/upgradation of 25 projects in Kashmir. However the state government has to contribute 10 percent of the sanctioned loan amount from its kitty for the development of infrastructure. The total cost of projects taken under NABARD finance would be Rs 101 crore with state contributing around Rs 10 crore.
A senior official of Roads and Buildings department stated that road projects sanctioned by the NABARD are recommended by the state government after consultation with MLAs concerned and on the requirements of local populace.
“Then the review committee vets them and forwards the proposal to the NABARD for final approval. This year we have received sanction for 25 projects so far,” he said.
Talking to us, Chief Engineer R&B Kashmir, Satish Razdan confirmed that NABARD has sanctioned Rs 90 crore for development of road and bridges at various places in the summer capital.
As per the documents accessed , out of total 25 road projects, five have been sanctioned in Srinagar district.
The sanctioned projects in Srinagar are as: Improvement /upgradation of various road links at Shanpora Habbak on both sides of Telibal Nallah at an estimated cost of Rs 3.62 crore.
Improvement /upgradation of road from Gandtal stone mine lane to New Theed at Rs 1.60 crore, Construction of new road connectivity from Sarabagh to Saidpora at an estimated cost of Rs 2.11 crore, construction of road from Lawaypora to Panzinara via Mujgund along left hand side of Sumbal Canal bund with allied links with project cost of Rs 4.98 crore, construction of road from Skaildub Harwan to Kanibagh Dub, Harwan Muftibagh at Rs 1.71 crore.
Similarly in Islamabad (Anantnag) district three projects will be financed by NABARD. The details of those project are: Upgradation of Pheroo-Rampora-Rambirpora road including Kadipora link via South Campus Kashmir university with an estimated cost of Rs 5.3 crore, construction of Deethu Sonach road at an cost of Rs 359.67 crore and upgradation /strengthening of Magraypora-Nanil with interior roads at Veeri-Gur-Adder-Gadseer and Krandigam at an estimated cost of 3.78 crore.
In Bandipora district two projects namely construction of Achora Bypass road at an estimated cost of 2.85 crore and construction of road from Erin- Darpora to Barladi and Gobipathri via Rangdaji Naagwani at an estimated Rs 5 crore will be covered under NABARD scheme.
In Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, state government would take three projects. Upgradation of Kralapora Khanihama Road via Meganwaji with allied links with cost of Rs 3.19 crore , upgradation of Batapora Razwan via S.K Pora Road at Rs 2.50 crore and upgradation of Kremshore Shogpora including Tilampora link at Rs 5.87 crore.
In Kulgam district, upgradation of Arwani Frisal Yaripora Noonmia road at Rs 7.33 crore. construction /upgradation road from Manigam bridge to NH way at Vessu Zongalpora to Habib Bhatpora Kelam to Tankipora and agroo Gundapath to Devsar at an estimated cost of Rs 215 crore
In Kupwara district, Upgradation of Safaipora Rangpath Dogerpora road including safaipora Dangiwachi upto Rowosa junction 2.13 crore, construction upgradation of Tarahpora Manzgam Pachkoot Kalmona Sherkoot road at Rs 6 crore
In Pulwama district, sanctioned projects are upgradation of Padgampora Naina Road with at the cost of Rs 5 crore, widening and upgradation of Newa- Frispora road cost of Rs 5.02 crore
In Baramulla district, construction/upgradation of Zadi Mohalla road at Trikulbal pattan at Rs 3 crore Construction of 1×4 metre span steel trussed bridge on Wailoo kralpora tilgam pattan road at Rs 3.71 crore
In Ganderbal district construction/upgradation of road from Wahidpora to Lar at Rs 3 crore, construction upgradation of link roads at Nunner at an estimated cost of Rs 2.5 crore, construction of two lane Bypass road from Gophbal to Doderhama upto District Head Office complex Rs 7.18 crore would be taken under NABARD finance.
In Shopian district, strengthening / upgradation of Keler-Check-Keler Barthipora Wathoo including Aarm Nakh road Rs 4.95 crore is covered under NABARD.
NABARD is the apex institution in the country which looks after the development of the cottage industry, small industry and village industry, and other rural industries.
NABARD also reaches out to allied economies and supports and promotes integrated development. And to help, NABARD co-ordinates the rural financing activities of all institutions engaged in developmental work at the field level and maintains liaison with Government of India, State Governments, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and other national level institutions concerned with policy formulation.
