Jammu, September 2: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has announced significant relief for the residents of Samba, Udhampur, and Kathua districts. Responding to a long-standing demand from locals, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) has been authorized to allocate ₹38.84 crores for the rehabilitation of the Samba-Battal Road.
Dr. Singh shared the update on the social media platform X, stating, “On August 31, we assured the local population that issues related to road repair and restoration would be addressed promptly through the BRO.” He noted that within just 48 hours, the BRO issued orders for the necessary funding.
The allocated ₹38.84 crores will be released within a week, and work on the road will commence immediately. This initiative exemplifies the sensitivity and swift action of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which aims to resolve citizens’ real problems quickly.
According to a letter from the BRO, rehabilitation work on the Samba-Battal Road will take place from kilometer 0.00 to 26.70 under the ‘Project Sampark’ in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Currently, repair work is ongoing under the Special Restoration of Monsoon Damage and Immediate Restoration of Monsoon Damage programs.
The letter states that interim maintenance efforts include the construction of 22 toe walls and retaining walls. Work is also progressing on two culverts. Additionally, surfacing is underway on 422 meters of the road’s damaged sections. The BRO emphasized that these actions are being taken to meet the immediate needs of the road, while a comprehensive rehabilitation plan will be implemented separately.
The proposed comprehensive rehabilitation plan includes the construction of 78 toe walls and retaining walls, one additional culvert, and the development of an 8.3-kilometer long line drain. The road’s damaged sections will undergo resurfacing.
The BRO indicated that work on the project will commence rapidly once administrative approval for the rehabilitation work is received. Currently, the cost estimation process is ongoing at the headquarters level under the Chief Engineer (Project Sampark). Once completed, this project will provide thousands of residents in Samba, Kathua, and Udhampur districts with improved road connectivity, making travel in the region safer and more convenient.
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