KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Aug 02: Union Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai on Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha that to connect Kashmir with train, Udhmapur-Katra (25 Km), Banihal Quazigund (18 Km) and Quazigund-Baramulla (118 Km) sections have already been commissioned while the last remaining 111 km Katra-Banihal section is currently under execution.
“Chenab bridge (359 m high), the highest Railway bridge in the world is under construction over river Chenab,” the in Union Minister in a written reply said, adding that Prime Minister’s Development Package announced on Nov 7, 2015 by the Prime Minister for strengthening socio-economic development of J&K.
“Out of 53 projects of the UT of J&K at a cost of Rs. 58,477 crores, 32 projects have been completed/ substantially completed up to June 2023. It is pertinent to mention here that the pace of the projects has been accelerated post August 2019,” he said.
“Post floods of September 2014, a financial assistance of 250 million USD was sanctioned by World Bank under IDA to support the recovery and increase disaster resilience in project areas and increase the capacity of the Project Implementing Entity to respond promptly and effectively to a crisis or emergency. 213 subprojects have been awarded. 167 sub projects are completed. 46 sub projects are in progress,” he added.
“GST Revenue and other tax collections have reached an all-time high of Rs. 9,310.99 crore. J&K has been a front runner in implementation of Amrit Sarovars,” the minster said, adding that 2,523 Amrit Sarovars have been completed so far. 78 projects under AMRUT and 156 projects under smart city mission have been completed.
