The Deputy Chief Minister said that the demand for construction of tunnel on the road connecting Keran and Jumgund area of Kupwara for providing all weather connectivity will be taken up with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India. He said DPR would also be prepared and forwarded to concerned.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Mir Saifullah.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that Keran sector is connected with the rest of UT of J&K via Pharkiyan Gali to Keran road (46.76 Km), maintained by BRO.
He further said that the road remains partially closed during the winter season due to snow accumulation and regular snow clearance is being done by BRO for providing connectivity to Keran sector.
“The PMGSY Road Zirhama-Jumgund (length 25.00 km) is a high-altitude road. Snow clearance operations though carried out regularly but during heavy snow spells clearance operation becomes difficult beyond first 6 km and gets temporarily delayed till weather improves due to poor visibility, frost action, avalanches/ snow slides from upper reaches, especially in kms from 17th to 20th”, he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister further informed that no alternate roads are available at present for the Keran and Jumgund areas. He said Pharkiyan Gali to Keran (46.76 Km) road is maintained by BRO.