Dr Jitendra's proposal for widening strategic Udhampur Dhar Road to be expedited

In view of the current developments along the India-Pakistan border, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh's proposal for the widening of the strategic Udhampur Dhar Road will be expedited.

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This will be a significant boost to border infrastructure and regional connectivity, both from the point of view of ease of public transport and more so in the interest of border security and defence.

Dr Jitendra Singh had for long advocated the widening of the Dhar Road in response to a consistent public demand. However, the proposal faced delays due to technical constraints, as the existing Border Roads Organisation (BRO) norms did not permit the required expansion, necessitating a referral to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Meanwhile, in the light of the current developments along the India-Pakistan border, Dr Jitendra brought this issue to the notice of Indian Army as well as BSF authorities, citing the security angle related to the widening of this road, which found merit with all concerned.

Sources say that particularly in the wake of "Operation Sandhoor", the Defence authorities as well as the MHA authorities have decided to follow up the issue with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) to seek the widening of Dhar Road by NHAI.

Nearly 150 km Udhampur-Pathankot Dhar road, constructed by the BRO, is virtually the lifeline of people living along the highway from Udhampur to Pathankot. Besides Pathankot, the road is a vital link to Ramnagar, Majalta, Samba and Kathua district.