SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today took a comprehensive review of the modalities for significant projects to be raised by the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) including Inter Modal Stations (IMS), Ropeways and Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) in the UT.

Those who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary, Finance; Commissioner Secretary, Tourism; Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD; Commissioner Secretary, Forests; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir/Jammu; Secretary, PWD; Secretary, Revenue; DC, Srinagar; CEO, NHLML and other concerned officers.

The Chief Secretary impressed upon the concerned to make a headway on all these significant infrastructure projects by laying a framework for execution of works at an earliest. He emphasized on the PWD to take earnest steps necessary for creation of SPV for establishment of different ropeway projects at various tourist spots of J&K including the one at Shankaracharya Temple.

He also enjoined upon the Finance, Law and Housing & Urban Development Department to put their heads together with the experts of the NHLML for fastracking the grounding of projects like IMS Katra and Multi-Modal Logistics Park at Samba, Jammu.

Regarding the projects, it was given out by the NHLML that the planned Inter Modal Station at Katra, a crucial project set to serve approximately 2.5 crore pilgrims visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Holy Cave, will feature a robust transport zone including a bus terminal with 88 bays, parking for approximately 500 ECS, three helipads and a ropeway station. The commercial zone will comprise of commercial spaces across multiple floors and five hotel towers.

The Shankaracharya Temple Ropeway project, with a length of 1.05 km and a bid project cost of Rs. 109 crore, is moving forward utilizing the Mono-Cable Detachable Gondola (MDG) technology. It will have a capacity of 700 PPHPD (Persons Per Hour Per Direction) and a travel time of approximately 5 minutes, connecting two stations with 15 cabins. The construction duration is estimated at two years.

Additionally, NHLML is undertaking Detailed Project Report (DPR) bids for several other ropeway projects across Jammu & Kashmir, including Sonamarg - Thajiwas Glacier, Bhaderwah to Seojhdar, Baltal - Amarnath Cave, Doodpathri from Parihas to Diskhal and Nasri Tunnel to Sanasar Ropeway.

The development of a Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Vijaypur also came up for discussion. This project, to be developed on a PPP-DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Transfer) basis, will include facilities such as an ICD (Inland Container Depot) for export/import, Container Freight Station, warehousing, cold storage and truck terminals.

Later, another crucial meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary held to review the progress and modalities for takeover of approach roads constructed by the Indian Railways for Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project by the Jammu & Kashmir Public Works Department (PWD).

This move aims to ensure regular maintenance and upkeep of these vital roads links in the twin districts of Reasi and Ramban benefiting the local populations and facilitating connectivity.

These 29 approach roads spanning cumulatively 201.46 Kms were constructed by Railways in the Katra-Banihal section of the USBRL project. These roads were crucial for transporting labor, material and machinery during the project's execution.

During the meeting, it was highlighted that these roads are to be handed over to the J&K PWD for regular maintenance and upkeep. The land acquisition proceedings for these roads are largely complete, with no court cases currently pending, the meeting was informed.

To facilitate a smooth transition a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between the Railways and J&K PWD to formalize these arrangements.

The Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of these roads for local connectivity. He directed both the stake holding departments to expedite the handover process to ensure their sustained upkeep for benefit of the public.