82 percent of roads along China border unfinished

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/bailey-bridge-work-leads-to-chaos-in-kullu/498169.html

Abhinav Vashisht

Kullu, November 15

Long queues of traffic and frequent traffic jams are witnessed in the town due to construction work of the new Bailey Bridge at Bhuntar, 10 km from here.The traffic from the Bailey Bridge, linking the Kullu-Manali National Highway and the Bhuntar-Manikaran road, will remain suspended till December 10, on account of construction work.

Kullu Deputy Commissioner Yunus Khan stated that a notification under the Motor Vehicle Act in this regard had already been issued and directions have been made to the Police Department for its compliance to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

The DC said Volvo buses to and from Manali would cross over from the town between 9 pm and 7am. He said small vehicles going towards Mandi would be allowed to pass through Parla Bhuntar to Bajaura. He said heavy vehicles would be permitted to cross the town between 11pm and 5am.

Residents alleged that despite the regulation of timing, some heavy vehicles were seen passing through the town during the day.

They alleged that rush of vehicles had increased and the police should increase vigil from Sarwari to Dhalpur to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and curtail heavy vehicles, especially during office hours.

Yunus said another Bailey Bridge with a better load capacity would be erected in place of the earlier bridge within one month. He said the construction work of the concrete bridge would take about one year to be completed and its work had also been initiated.

The Bailey Bridge was the main cause of traffic jam in Bhuntar, specially during summers when a large number of tourist vehicles came to the hill station. Now, a wider Bailey Bridge would provide smooth passage for the two way traffic, he said.

Shalini Agnihotri, SP, Kullu, said that extra police personnel had been deployed to ease out congestion during this period. She added that since there was no alternate route, the passage of heavy vehicles and Volvo buses through Kullu town was being regulated.

Meanwhile, residents of Bhuntar had to cover a large distance to go to Parla Bhuntar, which was either through congested and narrow Garsa road or from Kullu town. Closed till Dec 10

• Long queues of vehicles are witnessed in the town due to construction work of the new Bailey Bridge
• The traffic from the Bailey Bridge will remain suspended till December 10, on account of work.
• Volvo buses to and from Manali will cross over from the town between 9pm and 7am
• Small vehicles going towards Mandi will be allowed to pass through Parla Bhuntar to Bajaura
• Heavy vehicles will be permitted to cross the town between 11pm and 5am.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir releasing a book, during the inauguration of the 6th International Conference & Exhibition on Homeland Security, in New Delhi on November 16, 2017.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir addressing the inaugural session of the 6th International Conference & Exhibition on Homeland Security, in New Delhi on November 16, 2017.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir addressing the inaugural session of the 6th International Conference & Exhibition on Homeland Security, in New Delhi on November 16, 2017.

The Director General, Assam Rifles, Lt. General Shokin Chauhan addressing the inaugural session of the 6th International Conference & Exhibition on Homeland Security, in New Delhi on November 16, 2017.

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...ay-army-corps-lt-gen-michael-mathews-4939678/

Written by Sushant Kulkarni | Pune | Published:November 16, 2017 11:09 am

A team of soldiers from the Corps of Engineers conducts a prodding operation to detect land mines, during a demonstration at the College of Military Engineering on Wednesday. (Sandip Daundkar)

As the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army celebrates its 237th Raising Day this week, the Commandant of its Alma Mater, the College of Military Engineering (CME), Lieutenant General Michael Mathews said that bridging the infrastructure gap for the armed forces is one of the key challenges before the Corps.

The Corps of Engineers will be celebrating its 237th Corps day on Saturday, November 18. The CME, which is known as the Alma Mater of all officers of the Corps, is the premier technical training institute of the Indian Army. It provides training support to all the four pillars of the Corps — Combat Engineers, Military Engineering Services, Border Roads and Military Survey.

Interacting with reporters days before the upcoming celebration, Lieutenant General Mathews, when asked about the challenges before the Corps considering the current security scenario, said, “Our main job is combat support, which implies supporting the other arms in the combat area. The key challenge in this regard is upgrading our equipment profile. We have to keep upgrading to match with the latest technologies across the world. Another challenge we are looking at is in the Military Engineering Services or MES, which is the main agency as far as infrastructure is concerned for all the three services, Army, Navy and the Air Force. About 35 to 40 per cent of the infrastructure is yet to come up. So, the challenge is to bridge this gap and make the infrastructure available for the triservices.”

He added, “The third challenge is building border roads. The Border Road Organisation is building roads on all the frontiers, but vagaries of the weather pose challenges. Throughout the year, there is a very short time for work, so technology is the solution and we are looking at technology enhancement.”

In the backdrop of the raising day, various demonstrations of the vast amount of engineering equipment of the CME have been organised. On Wednesday, a live demonstration of mine removal and mine laying was held, along with a display of the various mobile bridging systems used by the Indian Army, including the indigenous Sarvatra bridge.

CME conducts about 130 courses for junior commissioned officers and officers of other ranks, and trains over 3,700 individuals, along with over 175 from friendly foreign countries. The MTech and BTech courses in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering disciplines are the premier courses conducted here, and the college is affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru University.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...nepal-china/story-TpXGhAU7sPjvccct3QvjYK.html
ITDA director Amit Kumar Sinha said the drones will play a crucial role in disaster management as they will send images of the disaster hit areas.
india Updated: Nov 17, 2017 22:59 IST
Hindustan Times, Dehradun

The drones are expected to play a crucial role in disaster management and employment generation.(Reuters File Photo)
High definition cameras installed on drones will keep an eye on forests along Uttarakhand’s border with Nepal and China, tracking poachers, timber mafia and Maoists, officials said.

The drones are also expected to play a crucial role in disaster management and employment generation, they added.

“A Drone Application and Training Centre (DATC) will be set up here soon,” a state government source said.

National Training Research Organisation (NTRO) chairman Alok Joshi had during a recent visit to Dehradun announced that the state would have a DATC soon. Joshi had said a batch of 25 youth each would be trained in various technologies relating to all kinds of drone operations.

The proposed institute would be developed by the Doon-based Information Technology Development Agency (ITDA).

“The proposed DATC will (also) help generate employment,” Amit Kumar Sinha, director, ITDA said.

According to sources, employees of the departments of forests, disaster management and police would also be trained in all aspects of drone operations.

“Drones will play a crucial role in disaster management as they will send images of the disaster hit areas, which will be of crucial importance for those engaged in relief and rescue operations,” Sinha said, adding that talks were on with the Central government on various aspects of setting up the DATC.

Drones will also prove to be a boon in tracking the timber mafia and criminals engaged in poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

“Drones will also come in handy in monitoring the forests particularly in the high altitude areas where it is not humanly possible to reach,” the ITDA director added.

 

[Hindustani78]

The construction work underway at the bridge in Rajouri.
Shyam Sood
Rajouri, December 4

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...bridge-washed-away-in-2014-floods/508170.html

Despite availability of funds, the construction work on an important bridge in Rajouri tehsil could not be started even after three years due to some technical issues raised by the contractor.

The footbridge at Androla was washed away during the September 2014 floods and since then, people of many villages were facing problems in crossing the Rajouri river to reach their destination.

Despite several protests by people and political leaders, including Ashok Sharma, former MLA, Kalakot, the construction work on the bridge could not be initiated till the third week of November because the contractor had abandoned the work.

“As the contractor had already delayed the construction work and was demanding few changes in the already approved design, the government has terminated his contract and the now, the contract has been allotted to Chanchal Khajuria,” said Sadeeq Wani, Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B).

He said under the agreement, the contractor would complete the construction of the bridge within a year at a cost of Rs 4.68 crore. As the bridge is located at an important place and connecting the Jammu-Poonch highway with the Rajouri-Kalakot-Jammu road, the district administration decided to made it motorable and accordingly, Rs 4.68 crore were allotted for it.

Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhry, Deputy Commissioner, said the contractor had started construction work on the bridge on November 21. When asked about the dispute related to the approach road, which is pending in the court of the Custodian General, the Deputy Commissioner said,

“All the relevant documents have been summoned for a review and it is hoped that the dispute will be resolved soon.”

The inhabitants in the vicinity of the bridge have denied giving their agricultural land for the approach road to the bridge and have moved the court.

 

[Hindustani78]

Posted at: Dec 7, 2017, 12:34 AM; last updated: Dec 7, 2017, 12:34 AM (IST)
Govt starts awarding tenders for Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ut...rishikesh-karnprayag-rail-project/509263.html

Dehradun, December 6

The work to construct the Rishikesh-Karnprayag railway line is likely to pick up pace with the finalisation of tender and other details for the first 6 kilometers of the 125.20 km long railway line.

Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh reportedly chaired a meeting with the officials engaged in the construction of the railway line. So far, the government has been engaged in the monitoring of the expansion of the all-weather road and new construction activities at Kedarpuri near Kedarnath.

Though the main work is to start next year, the process of awarding tenders for the first few kilometres has started. The cost of the railway project will be around Rs 16,000 crore, up from around Rs 4,000 crore when the project was first mooted six years ago.

The passenger train is likely to run at a speed of 100 km per hour and the goods train at a speed of 65 km per hour.

The rail link will connect Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Gauchar Karnprayag with five districts of Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri, Rudrapryag and Chamoli. A 15.1 km long tunnel, will be constructed between Devprayag and Lachmoli. The project will also include 16 bridges, the longest being 460 metres. — TNS

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...e-grant-for-development-work-in-doda-4976896/

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Sunday announced a grant of over Rs 1.6 crore for development works in Doda district during her visit there. Mufti, earlier in the day, visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Farid ud Din in Kishtwar town and prayed for peace, prosperity and welfare of the people, an official spokesman said, adding she is in Doda as part of her three-day visit in Chenab region.

The chief minister announced a grant of over Rs 1.60 crore for various developmental works in the area, he said. In a public grievances redressal camp, people demanded construction of Doda-Kapran road via Dessa to connect the district with Kashmir valley, the spokesman said.

The people also demanded installation of street lights in the towns and promotion of Doda and Bhaderwah on the tourism map of the state, he said. Other demands included, setting up of a skill development institute for training manpower for upcoming power projects in the region, establishment of a women’s college in the town and early completion of Ganpat bridge. Several deputations from Doda and Bhaderwah towns sought promotion of these areas as tourist destinations to boost the local economy.

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The Sonamarg-Gumri road (Zojila Pass) was closed from Sunday for all types of vehicular traffic until further notice.
india Updated: Dec 10, 2017 20:17 IST
Press Trust of India, Srinagar

An army vehicle drives past walls of snow on the Zojila Pass, about 110 kilometers (68 miles) north of Srinagar, on April 30, 2016. (AP File Photo)

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...ll-expected/story-z8pc9dp7kvovvUjq7ABoKK.html


The Srinagar-Leh highway, connecting the frontier Ladakh region with the rest of the state, was on Sunday closed for traffic for the winter season, ahead of expected heavy snowfall, an official said.

The highway, which is the only surface link between Kashmir valley and the Ladakh region, has been closed for traffic following the instructions of the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan, said an official of the Traffic Department.

Khan had ordered the closure of Sonamarg-Gumri road (Zojila Pass) from Sunday for all types of vehicular traffic until further notice, the official said.

The decision has been taken in view of the expected snowfall and slippery road conditions, the official said.

The MET Department has said a fresh Western Disturbance is most likely to affect the state from tomorrow to 15 December with moisture feeding taking place from the Arabian Sea.

“Under the influence of this system, moderate to heavy rain or snow is expected at widespread places of Jammu, Kashmir and the Ladakh region.

“The main activity of this system (moderate to heavy rainfall or snowfall) is likely to occur during 12-13 December and gradual decrease thereafter,” the MET office said.

It said this would be the first major wet spell during the current season for the state and the weather system may lead to disruption of surface and air transportation.

The 434-km highway acts as a major lifeline to the frontier region.

The Zojilla Pass, 140 km from Srinagar, is a vital crossing point on the mountainous highway and receives the heaviest snowfall in winter, shutting it down for nearly five months each year.

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The Kishanganga, known as Neelum in Pakistan, forms a natural border between the Indian and Pakistan parts of Kashmir. The Gurez sector remained immune from infiltration

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
11-December, 2017 16:55 IST
MoRTH reviews progress of India-Nepal Road Connectivity Projects

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways held a meeting last week to review the progress of the India-Nepal road connectivity projects. The following is the status of the various projects :

Mechi River Bridge project to be implemented at the Indo-Nepal border is on track. LOI is likely to be issued to the contractor shortly.

Piprakothi-Raxaul Road (NH57A) – NHAI has received bids for restoration of this highway. Award of contract for repair is likely to be done by the end of this month.

Mirganj Bridge (NH 57A) – NHAI has done a survey of this bridge and a proposal for temporary bridge strengthening will be formulated in January 2018.

The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways including NHIDCL and NHAI, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Commerce.


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मेची पुल (Mechi Bridge) | Mechinagar

Rescue work in progress after a major landslide on the Rampur-Nirmand road near Rampur town, in Himachal Pradesh on Monday.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/news-in-pictures/article21389211.ece?homepage=true
December 11, 2017 08:12 IST
Updated: December 11, 2017 19:32 IST

Published at 7 p.m.
Massive landslide
Twelve people were killed in Himachal Pradesh in two major road accidents on Monday, IANS quoted police as saying.

Six people were killed when their vehicle was caught in a landslide in Shimla district, while another six were killed when a private vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Mandi district.

The massive landslide on the Rampur-Nirmand road near Rampur town, 120 km from Shimla, caused a Maruti car to roll down a gorge, killing six people.

The incident came to light on Monday morning when passersby saw the car wreckage and found the bodies trapped under rocks. All bodies, including that of a child, were recovered.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
12-December, 2017 20:22 IST
RRM Dedicates to the Nation Two Crucial Bridges in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh

Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr Subhash Bhamre dedicated to the nation two crucial bridges in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh today. The minister, who arrived at Mohanbari Airforce Station in Dibrugarh, Assam early this morning from New Delhi on a two day visit to the region, was received by Maj Gen Gajendra Singh, GOC Dao Division and Gp Capt V Ahluwalia, Station Commander, Airforce Station Mohanbari. The minister then flew to Rowing in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh where he inaugurated the two bridges. Out of the two, he first inaugurated the Injupani Bridge, a 140 metre long bridge on Roing-Koronu-Paya road, which is a part of Trans Arunachal Highway. The completion of the Injupani Bridge would provide an uninterrupted access between Roing & Tezu, both important district HQs in Arunachal Pradesh.

The minister then inaugurated the Deopani/Eze Bridge, which is 300 metre long pre-stressed concrete balanced cantilever bridge over the Eze river at Roing in Arunachal Pradesh. Dedicating both the bridges to the nation, the Minister praised the commendable work being done by Project Udayak of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in this region. He appreciated the timely completion of these crucial bridges, which would provide round the year connectivity to the strategic Dibang valley bordering China. Lt Gen SK Shrivastava, Director General Border Roads brought out the hurdles faced by the BRO in the forms of turbulent flash floods and difficulty in sinking of well foundation in the bouldery river bed. At the end, Brigadier Rakshvir, Chief Engineer Udayak conveyed his thanks to Raksha Rajya Mantri for sparing his valuable time for inauguration of the bridges. The inauguration programme was attended by the local people including the various local dignitaries.

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre being received by the GOC 2 Mtn. Div. Maj. Gen. Gajendra Singh and Station Cdr. AF Station, Mohanbari, Gp. Capt. V. Ahluwalia, on his arrival, at Mohanbari, Assam on December 12, 2017.

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre dedicating the Injupani Bridge to the nation, in Arunachal Pradesh on December 12, 2017.

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre dedicating the Injupani Bridge to the nation, in Arunachal Pradesh on December 12, 2017.

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre dedicating the Deopani/Eze Bridge to the nation, at Roing, in Arunachal Pradesh on December 12, 2017.

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre dedicating the Deopani/Eze Bridge to the nation, at Roing, in Arunachal Pradesh on December 12, 2017.

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http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...development/story-TFXYCYvDDlXumJmQwjib5L.html

The states that will be benefited under the Border Area Development Programme include Assam, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
india Updated: Dec 12, 2017 15:22 IST
Press Trust of India, New Delhi

The fully centrally funded Border Area Development Programme covers all villages which are located within the 0-10 km of the international border in 17 states.(File)

The home ministry has released Rs 174 crore to six states having an international border for development of infrastructure in forward areas, an official said.

The states that will be benefited include Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

“An amount of Rs 174.32 crore was released to Assam, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP),” the official said today.

The fully centrally funded BADP covers all villages which are located within the 0-10 km of the international border in 17 states.

However, priority is given to those villages which are identified by border guarding forces for speedy development of infrastructure.

The schemes permissible under BADP include activities relating to ‘swachhta aabhiyan’, skill development programmes, promotion of sports activities, promotion of rural tourism, border tourism and protection of heritage sites.

Construction of helipads in remote and inaccessible hilly areas, which do not have road connectivity, skill development training to farmers for the use of modern/scientific technique in farming, organic farming are other areas which come under the BADP.

Assam shares International Border with Bangladesh, West Bengal shares border with Nepal and Bhutan, Gujarat with Pakistan, Manipur with Myanmar, Uttar Pradesh with Nepal and Himachal Pradesh with China and Nepal.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/na...tates-for-border-area-development/512128.html

Posted at: Dec 12, 2017, 5:28 PM;
last updated: Dec 12, 2017, 5:28 PM (IST)
Centre release Rs 174 crore to HP, 5 other states for border area development

Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 12

The Centre on Tuesday released Rs 174 crore to six states, including Himachal Pradesh, having international border for developing social and physical infrastructure in the villages situated in forward areas.

Informing about the government’s decision to grant money, a senior Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) official said, the states, which will receive the money, will include Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and West Bengal.

He said, “An amount of Rs 174.32 crore was released to the state under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP).”

The fully centrally funded BADP programme covers all villages which are located within the 0-10 km of the international border in 17 states. But priority is given to those villages which are identified by border guarding forces for speedy development of infrastructure, the official said.

The schemes permissible under BADP include activities relating to “swatchhta aabhiyan”, skill development programmes, promotion of sports activities, promotion of rural tourism, border tourism and protection of heritage sites.

Construction of helipads in remote and inaccessible hilly areas, which do not have road connectivity, skill development training to farmers for the use of modern/scientific technique in farming, organic farming are other areas which come under the BADP.

Himachal Pradesh shares International Border with China and Nepal, Assam with Bangladesh, West Bengal shares border with Nepal and Bhutan, Gujarat with Pakistan, Manipur with Myanmar and Uttar Pradesh with Nepal.

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A woman with her children cross temporary wooden log bridge during fresh snowfall in Srinagar. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and the Mughal road were closed for traffic for the second consecutive day due to continuous snowfall and rains. Photo: NISSAR AHMAD

 

[Hindustani78]

Srinagar, December 12, 2017 23:12 IST
Updated: December 12, 2017 23:12 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ped-under-snow-in-kashmir/article21544603.ece

Caught unawares: The crew of hundreds of goods carriers were stranded as snowfall led to closure of roads.


Special rescue team engaged in search operations; Valley cut off as National Highways remain closed

Five soldiers swept away in heavy snowfall near the frontier posts in Kupwara and Bandipora remained untraced after more than 24 hours on Tuesday, while an Army porter’s body was recovered.

“Two soldiers slipped down the slope in the Naugam sector of Kupwara. Three soldiers went missing from a forward post in the Kanzalwan sub-sector of Gurez in Bandipora,” a Srinagar-based Army spokesman, Colonel Rajesh Kalia, told The Hindu.

An Army official said an 11-member patrol team of 36 Rashtriya Rifles was on an inter-post movement around 8.30 p.m. on Monday when three jawans slipped into a ravine.

The posts are close to the Line of Control in the Bakhtor area, more than 200 km from here, of Gurez.

“A specialist team from the High Altitude Warfare School reached the site and started rescue operations, which are still on,” the official said.

Two soldiers of a patrol team of an officer and 10 troopers of 20 Dogra fell into a ravine at Naugam around 5 p.m. on Monday.

The specialist team was unable to reach the site on Tuesday because of heavy snowfall, officials said. Preliminary reports suggest heavy snowfall, which started on Monday, caused these accidents. Over four feet of snow has accumulated in these areas. Ghulam Qadir Khan, an Army porter from Kilshey village of Tulail, fell to death during snowfall. The body has been recovered.

Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, Sajjad Hussain on Tuesday asked people in the Gurez and Tulail areas not to venture out in avalanche-prone areas till the weather improved.

Snow in the plains

The plains of Kashmir Valley also witnessed the season’s first snow spell in the past 24 hours, badly affecting road connectivity.

The national highways connecting Srinagar to Jammu, Leh and Poonch, besides the Mughal-Sinthan Top, Jammu-Doda and Arnas-Mahore highways are closed.

“Men with machinery are busy clearing snow for vehicular movement,” said Colonel Awadhesh Singh, Director, Works, Project Beacon, Border Roads Organisation.

Sonum Lotus, Director, Meteorological Department, said Kashmir would witness “a gradual improvement in the weather conditions from Wednesday.
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Hundreds of vehicles stranded at Jammu-Srinagar national highway as it remained closed after snowfall for the second consecutive day, in Jammu on Wednesday. PTI Photo

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/hi...ction-to-be-completed-in-3-months/512254.html

The work under way on construction of bridge over the Swan between Haroli and Rampur villages in Una district.

Our Correspondent


Una, December 12

The 773-metre-long bridge over the Swan river, which will connect the Una and Haroli Assembly segments at Rampur and Haroli villages, respectively, will be completed by the end of this financial year and handed over to the public.

PWD Executive Engineer RS Chandel said the work on the bridge was going on at a brisk pace, adding that it would be the longest bridge in the state.

The bridge will shorten the distance between the Haroli sub-divisional headquarters and Una district headquarters by about 10 km. According to departmental sources, 14 out of the total 19 spans have been completed, while two spans will be completed by January. The remaining three will be completed by March 2018.

“A sum of Rs 56.22 crore is being spent on the construction of the bridge, which had received government approval two years ago. Work on filling earth on the approach roads to the bridge, measuring 1.5 km on both sides, is also under way,” said Chandel.
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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/bhuntar-bridge-opens-to-traffic/512268.html

Our Correspondent
KULLU, DECEMBER 12

Kullu Deputy Commissioner Yunus said that repair of bailey bridge at Bhuntar had been completed on schedule and the bridge was thrown open for traffic yesterday. The bridge linked the Kullu-Manali National Highway and the Bhuntar-Manikaran road.

The concrete bridge was washed away in 1995 floods and most of the traffic to and from Manali was passing through the old bailey bridge as it is the only link for Kullu bypass road. The narrow passage enabled only one heavy vehicle to pass at a time resulting in the area witnessing frequent traffic jams. Besides, damage was caused beyond repair by a big truck carrying heavy machinery in 2008.

The residents of Parla Bhuntar were relieved as earlier they had to travel long distance to reach the other side of the Bhuntar town. The problem of traffic jams in Kullu town would also be reduced as heavy traffic would be diverted through new bailey bridge at Bhuntar.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
14-December, 2017 17:05 IST
Dr. Jitendra Singh thanks Union Home Minister for ordering construction of bunkers along J&K border

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today met Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and discussed with him the various aspects related to the construction of bunkers along the International Border (IB) and LoC in Jammu & Kashmir. He thanked the Home Minister for issuing orders allocating Central funds for construction of 13,029 Individual bunkers with capacity of 8 persons each and 1,431 Community bunkers with capacity of 40 persons each, to begin with.

Dr Jitendra Singh requested Shri Rajnath Singh that, if feasible, the construction of bunkers should be carried out directly by a Central Agency like CPWD or NBCC for better monitoring and expediting the entire work. He also thanked the Home Minister for having approved yesterday the long pending issue of reimbursement of compensation to be paid by the J&K Government to the victims of cross-border firing as well as crop losses, livestock losses, damage to houses, etc.

Recalling the past sequence of events, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the construction of bunkers has been a long standing demand. He said that the present Government took cognizance of the demand and moved forward on it. Not only this, he said, initially the plan was to construct only the Community bunkers, however on a demand from certain sections for construction of Individual bunkers, the Union Home Ministry decided to fund a combination of both Community bunkers as well as Individual bunkers, as and where feasible.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Union Home Ministry has responded to border area demands with great sensitivity and expressed hope that other issues like compensation for the land acquired, etc. will also be addressed in due course of time.

*****

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh calling on the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, in New Delhi on December 14, 2017.

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http://www.deccanherald.com/content/648066/bridge-connecting-uttarkashi-china-border.html

Press Trust of India, Uttarkashi, Dec 14 2017, 13:39 IST

The makeshift Gangotri bridge collapsed around 6 am when two trucks were crossing it, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan said. Image courtesy: @ani Twitter

The lone bridge linking Uttarkashi to the China border collapsed today, disconnecting dozens of villages and causing inconvenience to daily commuters, especially school-going children and teachers.

The makeshift Gangotri bridge collapsed around 6 am when two trucks were crossing it, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan said.

No one was hurt in the incident, he said.

According to rules, only one truck can pass through the bridge at a time, he said.

A magisterial probe has been ordered into the incident and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the Public Works Department (PWD) have been asked to open an alternate route as soon as possible.

Daily commuters who used the bridge, especially school- going children and teachers, have been inconvenienced by its sudden collapse, he said.

A number of vehicles are stranded on either side of the bridge with no alternate route available at the moment, he said.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/hi...solan-stretch-set-to-be-completed/513782.html

Work on the one-way tunnel on the Barog bypass under way. Tribune photo

Posted at: Dec 16, 2017, 12:46 AM; last updated: Dec 16, 2017, 12:46 AM (IST)
Tunnel on Parwanoo-Solan stretch set to be completed
4-km four-laned road operational; 35% project work already done


Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, December 15

GR Infraprojects Limited, engaged in four-laning the Parwanoo-Solan stretch of National Highway (NH)-22, has achieved a milestone by successfully constructing about 921-metre one-way tunnel on the Barog bypass.

Being an arduous and challenging task, the projects staff had to construct an additional 99 m tunnel to ensure that both ends met. The two ends were separated by a distance of barely 2.5 m and the staff expected to join the two ends within the next two days. As per the initial design this tunnel was supposed to be 825 m long but site specific issues prolonged its length.

This is the lone tunnel which is being constructed on this 39-km stretch from Parwanoo to Solan. It took one year to carve out this tunnel which extends from 91 km milestone to 99 km on the Barog bypass and culminates near Tapan Hyundai’s showroom. The finishing of this tunnel will be accomplished by June 2018, revealed Devasis Patra, Project Manager, GR Infraprojects Limited.

Patra also informed that about 4 km of newly four-laned road has been made operational out of the total of 39 km. As much as 35 per cent work has been completed.

In view of the time lost in land acquisition and stay by the National Green Tribunal for a few months, the company has sought an additional time of 15 months for its completion.

The company was also demanding an additional Rs 134 crore as against the total project cost of Rs 748 crore as the retaining walls and breast walls of 1.5 m to 3 m length had failed to provide adequate protection to the excavated hill.

According to an assessment made by the officials a distance of about 10.8 km in the entire road required higher retaining walls which would scale up the project cost. The issue was under the consideration of the Chairman of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The work which began in September 2015 was slated to be completed by March 2017 but given the plethora of impediments the NHAI was considering its case for extension.

The enforcement of the model code of conduct in view of the elections in the state also added to the delay and permission for consent to operate from the State Pollution Control Board for operating a stone crusher at village Shamlech was received recently though the initial permission for consent to establish was obtained much earlier.

The project also involves construction of two railway over bridges at Sanawar and Barog bypass and a flyover at Kumarhatti which will reduce the distance by three km. Realignment of about seven km of road is further supposed to reduce the length of the road to 39 km from the present 42 km.

About 21-km long service roads will also be constructed at Dharampur and Solan while a toll barrier would be erected at Sanawar.

************

A BRO machine removes snow from the Keylong-Udaipur road in Lahaul on Thursday. Photo: Jai Kumar
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/hi...ring-snow-to-open-links-to-lahaul/513303.html

Tribune News Service


Mandi, December 14

Despite adverse weather conditions, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) is geared up to open inter road links of Lahaul valley for traffic movement, which were blocked during the last three days after heavy snowfall occurred in the region.

The BRO had yesterday started its snow clearance operation on the Keylong-Uaidpur-Darcha stretch to connect the main road link of the valley for traffic movement. Only six km road was cleared but in evening the district received mild snowfall again, hampering road clearing.

Today again the BRO started its snow-clearance operation in the region, providing a ray of hope to the tribals that the BRO will open the road for traffic movement provided the weather stayed good in the coming days. Dorej Upask, a native of Keylong, told The Tribune

“The weather was inclement today but the BRO has engaged its machinery and workforce in snow-clearance operation, which gave a ray of hope to us that soon the inter inks of valley will be restored for traffic movement.”

BRO commander Colonel AK Awasthi said, “We started snow clearance operation in Lahaul yesterday but bad weather was hampering the progress of the work.”

He said that as soon as the weather improved the BRO will intensify its snow-clearance operation in Lahaul valley to provide the people of the district transportation facility in the coming days.

The residents of the district are urging the district administration and the state government to provide air services to move in and out of the district.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being welcomed on his arrival, at Shillong, in Meghalaya on December 16, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being welcomed on his arrival, at Shillong, in Meghalaya on December 16, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being welcomed on his arrival, at Shillong, in Meghalaya on December 16, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi unveiling the plaque to dedicate to the nation the project of 2 Laning of Shilong-Nongstoin section of NH-106 and Nongstoin-Tura Road of NH-127B, in Meghalaya on December 16, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi unveiling the plaque to dedicate to the nation the project of 2 Laning of Shilong-Nongstoin section of NH-106 and Nongstoin-Tura Road of NH-127B, in Meghalaya on December 16, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being briefed about the project of 2 Laning of Shilong-Nongstoin section of NH-106 and Nongstoin-Tura Road of NH-127B, in Meghalaya on December 16, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being briefed about the project of 2 Laning of Shilong-Nongstoin section of NH-106 and Nongstoin-Tura Road of NH-127B, in Meghalaya on December 16, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being briefed about the project of 2 Laning of Shilong-Nongstoin section of NH-106 and Nongstoin-Tura Road of NH-127B, in Meghalaya on December 16, 2017.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at a ceremony to dedicate to the nation the project of 2 Laning of Shilong-Nongstoin section of NH-106 and Nongstoin-Tura Road of NH-127B, in Meghalaya on December 16, 2017. The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at a ceremony to dedicate to the nation the project of 2 Laning of Shilong-Nongstoin section of NH-106 and Nongstoin-Tura Road of NH-127B, in Meghalaya on December 16, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at a ceremony to dedicate to the nation the project of 2 Laning of Shilong-Nongstoin section of NH-106 and Nongstoin-Tura Road of NH-127B, in Meghalaya on December 16, 2017.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...n-northeast/story-lGJRf1DsHVRQ8Dl9y53uyN.html

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced Rs 90,000 crore for improving roads and national highways in the Northeast in the next two to three years to facilitate better connectivity.

The prime minister dedicated to the nation a 271-km two- lane national highway connecting Tura in western Meghalaya and Shillong.

Meghalaya was the second stop of the prime minister after Mizoram during his day-long visit to the Northeastern region today.

“Over the next 2-3 years, an investment of about Rs 60,000 crore is proposed under the Special Accelerated Road Development Project (SARDP) in the Northeast and an investment of Rs 30,000 crore under Bharatmala is proposed for development of national highways in northeastern states,” Modi said while addressing a BJP rally here.

He said the central government has sanctioned around 4,000-km of national highway (NH) across the Northeast at a cost of Rs 32,000 crore.

The prime minister said that over 1,200 km of NH was constructed at an expenditure of nearly Rs 14,000 crore during the last three years alone.

Union Minister K J Alphons was present on the occasion.

 

[Hindustani78]

Police and railway officials on the accident spot after a train derailed at Kurseong.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...ast-pm-modi/story-9LRqrTPepkdHLL4ria5lBL.html

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday the Centre is committed to put all the state capitals of the northeast on the rail map and is executing 15 new projects in the region.

“We are committed to bring all the state capitals of the northeast region on the rail map. The government of India is executing 15 new rail line projects of 1,385 km length, at a cost of over Rs 47,000 crore,” Modi said during his visit to Mizoram.

“It is said that the lack of connectivity is one of the biggest hurdles in the path of development of the Northeastern region,” Modi noted, adding: “My government wants to do ‘transformation by transportation’ through investment in infrastructure...”

He said the Centre has been proactively following the ‘Act East Policy’. “As a gate-way to South East Asia, Mizoram stands to gain immensely from this. It can emerge as a key transit point for trade with Myanmar and Bangladesh,” said the Prime Minister.

The vision of New India can be realised only if fruits of development reach all, he said.

The Centre plans to focus on around 115 districts which are relatively backward when evaluated on various indicators. This will benefit backward districts of Northeastern states, including Mizoram, said Modi.

“In the spirit of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” every Indian, irrespective of caste, gender, religion, class must have equal opportunities to partake in the new prosperity,” he added.

Modi was in Mizoram to inaugurate the 60 MW Tuirial Hydro Electric Power Project (HEPP). He dedicated the project to the people saying it will boost the socio-economic development of the state.

Tuirial Hydropower Project is the first major central government project to be successfully commissioned in Mizoram, Modi said, also adding that besides electricity the reservoir water will also open new avenues for navigation.

“This will provide connectivity to remote villages. The huge reservoir, spread over an area of 45 square km, can also be used for development of fisheries,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister said the project would boost eco-tourism and provide a source of assured drinking water supply.

He said the project was first cleared by the union government of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, way back in 1998 but got delayed.

“The completion of this project is a reflection of our commitment to complete ongoing projects and usher in a new era of development in the Northeastern region,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister also said that during the tenure of Vajpayee, significant work was done for the development of the Northeast.

“We have taken forward this vision and are devoting resources for the progress of the Northeast. My ministerial colleagues are frequently visiting the Northeast,” Modi said.

“There have been over 150 ministerial visits. Our initiative - the Ministry of DoNER at your doorstep has added impetus to the development of the Northeast. It has enabled us to understand the aspirations of the Northeast even better,” he added.

Modi also said that he was delighted to be in Mizoram and this was his first visit as Prime Minister as he had visited the state before also.

“I admire the beauty and friendly nature of the people,” he said.

“The high literacy rate, scenic beauty and availability of large English-speaking population in Mizoram make for a perfect blend to develop the state as a model tourist destination,” said the Prime Minister.


The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi during his departure after the Shillong visit, on December 16, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being seen off by the Governor of Meghalaya, Shri Ganga Prasad and the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Mukul Sangma after the Shillong visit, on December 16, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being seen off by the Governor of Meghalaya, Shri Ganga Prasad and the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Mukul Sangma after the Shillong visit, on December 16, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being seen off by the Governor of Assam, Shri Jagdish Mukhi and the Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, as he emplanes for New Delhi from Guwahati, after the visit to Mizoram and Meghalaya on December 16, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being seen off by the Governor of Assam, Shri Jagdish Mukhi and the Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, as he emplanes for New Delhi from Guwahati, after the visit to Mizoram and Meghalaya on December 16, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

//economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/62110250.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

NEW DELHI: This week two strategic bridges were inaugurated in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, opening up another way in the area to the Line of Actual Control. Like the two, there are close to 150 strategic bridges being constructed in the state to provide quick mobility to troops and supplies towards the LAC and act as alternative routes in case one gets destroyed during a conflict.

Bridges are an important requirement of Arunachal, because the area is prevalent with rivers, including the Brahmaputra tributaries, besides nallahs.

Due to monsoon and flash floods, most of the state's border regions are cut off. These bridges will ensure all-year connectivity to the strategic roads located along the LAC in the state. A similar border infrastructure for better connectivity is also being done in the neighbouring state of Sikkim, following the Doklam standoff.

MOST BRIDGES IN STATE

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), under the Defence Ministry, is constructing 410 bridges of strategic importance for stronger connectivity to the 3440- km long LAC from Ladakh to Arunachal. Arunachal has the most number of bridges-144 out of 410- due to its rivers and problems of monsoon.

Out of 144, 75 are under construction and will be completed by 2020. Out of 75, about seven located at Lower Dibang Valley and Lohit districts ..

Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre inaugurated the 300m-long Deopani Bridge on December 12. It is located over the Deopani River in Ro-ing-Hunli road and links Lower Dibang Valley with Upper Dibang Valley and Assam. The bridge is important because during monsoon the two districts are cut off from each other. It will also connect further north to Mipi and Dembuen at the LAC.

The second bridge inaugurated by Bhamre is the Injupani Bridge between Roing and Paya in the Lower Dibang Valley. South of Roing is the 9.15 km long Dhola Sadiya Bridge constructed across Lohit River.

The bridge which is on the Tinsukia (Assam)- Roing road was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May. "Merely having the Dhola Sadiya bridge for connectivity in the region was not enough, therefore the Deopani Bridge among others had to be constructed," explained the official. Located west of the DeopaniBridge is Pasighat in Arunachal's East Siang district.

The BRO is connecting Pasighat with Roing by constructing a 5.7 km -long bridge, which is to be completed by March 2018. Pasighat will get connected to Dibrugarh, Assam, located south of it, by the Bogibeel Bridge across the Brahmaputra. And Dibrugarh is connected to Tinsukia.

"So it's a loop connec-ting Lower Dibang and Upper Dibang with East Siang and Assam," explained another official. Dibang is also connected with its eastern neighbouring district, Lohit, by a series of 10 bridges. Only one is left to be completed, which will be achieved by March next year, says the BRO. Tinsukia through the Alubarighat Bridge also connects with Lohit and Anjaw districts, including their bordering areas. Located east of this region is Upper Siang, which borders the LAC.About 12 bridges are under construction here from Pangin to Gelling (located at the LAC). There are also same number of bridges from Along to to Yorlung in West Siang. Further east of the Siang district is Daporijo, which also has about 12 bridges moving up to the LAC.

Even western Arunachal's Tawang district has about 15 bridges under construction from Balipara in Assam up to Tawang.

Along the remaining LAC

Arunachal's neighbouring state, Sikkim, has about 40 bridges under construction. "The infrastructure development here has taken off at a fast pace in the past few months. Work is also going on at a strategic location in North Sikkim and nearby areas," said another official.

In Jammu and Kashmir there are about 100 bridges under construction, besides 25 and 55 in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand."Out of the 410 bridges having a length of 22 km, 150 are under construction and we are completing 3 km length of bridges every year," said an official.

All of them are two-laned road bridges and of class 70, meaning it can bear very heavy loads, including of tanks. Its these bridges connected with the strategic roads leading to the LAC that ensure the connectivity and movement of forces in a large strength and that too on schedule.The multiplicity will also help confuse the enemy of routes being taken by the troops.

The work on the bridges which started about a decade ago, however, has its challenges. It ranges from limited working periods due to weather and to dealing with construction issues and limited expertise in it.

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Posted at: Dec 18, 2017, 12:45 AM;
last updated: Dec 18, 2017, 12:45 AM (IST)
Tunnel excavation on Barog bypass completed

A cost of Rs 85 crore to Rs 100 crore has been incurred on excavating this 924-m tunnel. Tribune photo

Ambika Sharma
Tribune News Service
Solan, December 17

A major breakthrough was achieved by GR Infraprojects (GRI) Limited in successfully carving out a 924 m tunnel as both ends met through a final blast in its 2.5-m stretch on the Barog bypass today. The tunnel will reduce the distance on the Parwanoo-Solan stretch of National Highway-22 by 3.5 km.

The tunnel has helped in conserving green cover on at least two to three hectares of land. The tunneling work, which began in June 2016, was accomplished with zero injury where 35 engineers and the support staff toiled hard round the clock.

A cost of Rs 85 crore to Rs 100 crore has been incurred on this tunnel. The latest technology using Austrian tunnelling method has been used for the first time in Himachal to bore this tunnel whose completion will take another year. Works like ventilation, lining, etc., will be undertaken in the remaining time.

Being a one-way tunnel, it would facilitate commuters travelling downhill from Shimla. The tunnel width varied from 11.78 m to 13.34m. GRI Chief Executive Officer Sameer Nagrani said the Himalayan ecology posed several challenges due to the fragile rock structure requiring a high-level of preparedness.

He said with little stand-up time available to put in place support structures once a site was excavated, the staff was on its toes to meet all eventualities. Various unforeseen factors contributed to the delay in its completion.

The officials, however, hoped that the remaining work would be completed within a year. This was the first tunnel on this highway which was carved out for a road as the highway already has 102 tunnels of varying dimension.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
19-December, 2017 18:10 IST
BRO’S Annual Chief Engineers Conference

Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr Subhash Bhamre today addressed the Annual Chief Engineers Conference 2017 of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at GREF Centre, Pune.

The Minister conveyed his wishes to the Director General Border Roads (DGBR) and all officers and personnel for achieving targets set forth for construction of strategic roads in Border Areas as also achieving a breakthrough of the prestigious Rohtang Tunnel. He also mentioned about certain challenges being faced by BRO due to terrain and climate as well as paucity of funds. Dr. Bhamre reaffirmed his faith that BRO shall overcome all challenges and enhance pace of construction as well as adopt newer technologies and procedures.

Dr. Bhamre also spoke about various policy decisions of the Government of India in easing out the procedures being followed for according clearance to Defence Projects with the expectation that these policy relaxations will bring greater responsibility on BRO to be more concerned about preservation of ecology and environment. He stated that BRO is critical to the strategic infrastructure development needs of the country.

Awards were presented for the Best and Runner-up Task Force and Best road for both Eastern and Western Sectors. In addition, two mobile applications called ‘GREF Abhilekh’ and Standard Schedule of Rates (SSR): BRO were launched on the occasion alongwith release of the Annual Technical Magazine ‘OONCHI SADAKEN’.

The Minister called upon all to put in their best for achieving the goals set for the Organization which ultimately shall facilitate good network of roads in Border Areas to fulfil the strategic needs of the country as well as meet the requirements for socio-economic development of the region as a whole.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
21-December, 2017 18:02 IST
Decongesting Cities

The Government has put a special focus on over-congested capital cities, especially with regard to the North-Eastern States. National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is implementing National Highways projects pertaining to North East Region (NER) which connects capital cities in NER. The list of such projects is as follows :.


List of NH projects in North East Region:


S.No.
Capital City
Stretch
Scheme

1.
Guwahati
Bongaigaon- Guwahati- Nagaon-Tezpur- Dibrugarh-Margherita
Bharatmala Pariyojana-I (BMP)

2.
Aizwal
(i) Silchar-Aizwal.
(ii)Manu-Simlung-Aizwal-Imphal.
(iii)Aizwal Bypass.
BMP

3.
Imphal
(i)Silchar-Jiribam-Imphal.
(ii) Kohima-Jessami-Ukhrul-Imphal.
(iii) Imphal-Moreh.
(iv) Imphal Bypass
BMP

4.
Kohima
(i) Kohima-Avakhung.
(ii)Numaligarh-Dimapur-Kohima-Imphal.
(iii) Nagaon-Dimapur.
(iv) Kohima Bypass.
BMP/ Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East (SARDP-NE)

5.
Shillong
(i) Dwaki- Shillong.
(ii) Shilong Bypass
BMP

6.
Agartala
(i) Agartala-Sabroom.
(ii)Jorabat-Jowai-Silchar-karimganj-Agartala
BMP

7.
Itanagar.
Gohpur-Itanagar.
BMP/SARDP-NE

8.
Gangtok
Construction of alternate highway to Gantok
SARDP-NE

************

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
21-December, 2017 16:23 IST
Mandatory RFID tagging of New Vehicles

Shri Mansukh L Mandaviya, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Chemicals & Fertilizers informed in a written reply to Lok Sabha today, that the Government has made it mandatory for all four wheel passenger and goods vehicles sold on and after 1st December, 2017 to be fitted with FASTag by the manufacturer of the vehicle or its authorized dealer.

Shri Mandaviya also told the House that Electronic Fee Collection (EFC), a digital form of user fee collection, was rolled out across the country on 25th April, 2016 by the Government with the inclusion of multiple issuers and multiple acquirer banks with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) as the Central Clearing House (CCH).

So far, 407 toll plazas across the country have been enabled with EFC lanes on either side of the toll plaza and 8,12,870 RFID tags have been issued. The total transaction count since Jan, 2017 to December 15, 2017 under e-mode stands at 10.12 Cr and the revenue collected under e-mode for the same period is Rs 2852 Cr. Depending upon the feasibility at fee plazas, Government is targeting to have all existing lanes as FASTag enabled by converting them to Hybrid EFC lanes having all the payment options, Shri Mandaviya informed.

*****
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...ts-near-lac/story-B1kvZIlPTcJ0Lp8BqhTOcP.html

The government does not allow “any interference” with its right to undertake improvement of infrastructure within the Indian territory, Union minister VK Singh said on Thursday, dismissing Chinese criticism on India undertaking construction projects near the LAC.

In a written reply to queries in the Rajya Sabha, the minister also said that India and China reviewed the situation in all sectors of the border during the 10th round of talks on boundry issues last month.

The two sides agreed that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas is an important prerequisite for sustained growth of bilateral relations, he said.

Militaries of both the countries recently witnessed a stand-off at the Doklam that lasted for more than two months.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also approved the construction of a standalone road project from Marsimik La to Hot Spring. Marsimik La in Ladakh is about 20 km from the northwest tip of Pangong lake.

In August, China warned that such a development would only worsen the then stand-off in Doklam.

Singh, Minister of State in the External Affairs Ministry, said the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry made statements critical of construction of such infrastructure by Indian near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

“The government gives careful and specific attention to the improvement of infrastructure for the development of border areas in order to facilitate economic development of these areas as also meet India’s strategic and security requirements,” Singh said.

The minister said that government does not allow “any interference” with the right to undertake such improvement within the Indian territory and keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it.

Singh noted that the tenth round of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held in Beijing. The two delegations comprised diplomatic and military officials from each side.

“The talks were held in a constructive and forward- looking manner. Both sides reviewed the situation in all sectors of India-China border and agreed that maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas is an important prerequisite for sustained growth of bilateral relations,” Singh said.

WMCC was established in 2012 as institutional mechanism for consultation and coordination for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas.