Jammu: Seeking liberal funding to roads and buildings sector in Jammu and Kashmir, the state government has demanded enhancement of Central Road Funds (CRF) for various projects in the state.

"We have sought enhancement of limited Central Road Funds (CRF) scheme for various projects other than the 13 projects already submitted to the union ministry costing Rs 274 crore," Minister for R&B, Gardens, Parks and Floriculture, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said.

The matter was raised by Bukhari at the meeting with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways (RT&H), Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on the road communication sector in Jammu and Kashmir. He urged the union minister to pull up the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for the early completion of these two projects for the convenience of the general public. Bukhari also discussed the allotment of funds to the state under CRF Scheme and sought its rationalisation. The Minister also raised the issue of delay in completion of Sopore bridge and Parimpora to Narbal road, saying the work by the central agencies was going on a snail pace.

He vehemently stressed on approval of more projects under Inter State Connectivity plans and got approval for one more Inter State connectivity project Basohli-Bani-Bhadarwah costing Rs 197 crore in addition to already agreed upon funds by the union ministry. He sought speedy completion of National Highway project by the central agencies and mentioned the delays in completion of works at Srinagar-Qazigund stretch.

He urged the Union Minister for taking up the work of two more sub projects of Banihal-Ramban section and Ramban- Udhampur section for which the funds have already been approved by the central government. Reassuring full support to the Jammu and Kashmir government, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways agreed to enhance the sanctioned allocations under CRF to a total of Rs 480 crore for current fiscal and asked for a Detailed Project Reports (DPR) of the projects other than the already submitted 13 projects including up-gradation of old airport road from Bypass to Rangreth and Dang-Duru to Hanzal Marwah in Kishtwar. The Union Ministry for Road Transport agreed in principal to handover Srinagar-Baramulla highway to the state Public Works Department (PWD).