Jammu: The Government on Monday said that most of the accidents on Sadhna top on Kupwara-Karnah road occurred due to the negligence of drivers.
Calling Attention Notice moved by MLC, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone in Upper House, Minister for Agriculture Production, Ghulam Nabi Lone also said that the accidents occurred due to the negligence of drivers and “when there was no snow on the terrain.”
Hanjura said that with a view to improve the road condition, road safety and to avert accidents on Sadhna top on Kupwara-Karnah Road, various works such as strengthening, permanent works, resurfacing etc have been planned to be executed during the financial year 2018-19 by the Project Beacon.
He informed that the State Government took up the issue for construction of Sadhna Tunnel with the Union Minister for Defense during her visit to the State in September last year.
Besides, the State Government, as a follow-up action approached Ministry of Defense, GoI for according the highest priority for the construction of said tunnel and is earnestly pursuing the matter with the Government of India for its sanction, he added.
The Minister informed that 70 km long Kupwara-Karnah road passing through high mountains is maintained by BEACON.
“In case of heavy snowfall and avalanche warning, Army restricts the movement of vehicles only upto Chowkibal Cantonment Gate from Kupwara side and upto Nachiyan from Karnah side,” he added.
Besides, the Minister said that Project Beacon has also proposed to construct 6.12 kms long Sadhna Tunnel on the road from Chowkibal-Tangdhar-Chamkot between km 28 to Km 42 which is under consideration with the Ministry of Defense.