Economy

Transport and Communication

In the landlocked state like Jammu and Kashmir, road transport is an indispensable means of communication for the regular distribution of essential and other commodities. Hence, the government has given the highest priority to the construction and maintenance of roads.

Economic development of the state and access to the landlocked and unexposed areas are dependent on roads. The total road length was 13,540 Kms by March 1996. Of the 6,268 villages in the state, 3,962 villages were connected through roads by 1995. By the Eighth plan, 228 additional villages are likely to be connected through the roads.

An alternative to the existing national highway connecting Jammu and Srinagar, known as the Mughal road was completed by Ninth plan period. The Ministry of Surface Transport has sanctioned Rs.25 lakhs  under the National Patrolling scheme for the purpose of an ambulance and crane for deployment on the highway.

In the Kashmir valley, timber bridges constructed decades ago are being replaced and reconstructed by concrete bridges. The major bridges completed in 1995 were Abdullah Bridge, Aishmuquam, Larkipora in Kashmir valley and Kathua Bridge in Jammu division. Other bridges under construction are Pul-Doda Bridge in Doda, Sher-i-Kashmir Bridge, Poonch fly-over project, Jammu, Wagoora, Vailoo, Hillar, Pahoo and Biddar Bridges in the valley and Kali Dhar Bridge in Rajouri district.

Communication facilities have considerably expanded with the opening of new telephone exchanges, extension of existing lines and the establishment of direct-dialing services between Srinagar and Jammu, Srinagar and Delhi and between Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla. This service has been extended upto Mumbai and other important towns in the country.

A new radio transmitter of much greater power has since been installed in Jammu, and the Srinagar station has been further strengthened. A radio station has since been set up in Leh. The TV station in Srinagar, catering to a population of 20 lakhs, has become very popular. Similar is the case with the Jammu TV station.

A yard-com-workshop complex at Srinagar  has been constructed involving a cost of Rupees 4.70 crores.