On 24th June 2020, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space Jitendra Singh inaugurated Jammu and Kashmir’s ”Puneja Bridge” in Doda district and “Devika Bridge” in Udhampur district over a virtual platform.
Key People:
DG, BRO, Lt Gen Harpal Singh, Municipal Commissioners and DCs of Udhampur and Doda, Members of Civil Society and BRO.
Devika Bridge:
i.10 meter long is built to ease the traffic congestion and to meet the development requirements of the Udhampur town area.
ii.This will provide a smooth passage for the Army convoys and vehicles.
iii.The bridge was constructed in about 1year time span by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) amid the lockdown due to COVID-19 and labour shortage..
iv.The estimated cost of building the bridge is Rs 75 Lakhs.
Puneja Bridge:
i.The 50-meter-long Puneja bridge is built over the Puneja stream on the Bhaderwah-Basholi-Pathankot national highway under construction.
ii.The bridge was built by 114 RCC of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in 36 months
iii.The estimated cost of building the bridge is Rs.4 crore.
Bhaderwah-Basholi-Pathankot national highway:
This 185 Km long highway is strategically important in the defence point of view which will provide an alternate route to connect Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts without entering Jammu and Udhampur via Lakhanpur.
Key Points:
i.The BRO has constructed around 200 bridges in this region in the past 4-5 years which includes the Atal Setu Cable Bridge.
ii.Other development projects undertaken in the past 5-6 years in this region are, medical and engineering colleges, radio station, National Institute for High Altitude Medicinal Plants, besides numerou road and bridge projects.
About Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region:
Minister of State– Jitendra Singh
Headquarters– New Delhi
About J&K
Lt Governor– Girish Chandra Murmu
Capital– Jammu (winter), Srinagar(summer)
