Speed-up forest clearances for key border road projects: J&K CM Omar Abdullah

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah on Monday said forest clearances for key border road projects must be expedited to strengthen infrastructure and connectivity in the region.

He met Border Roads Organisation (BRO) director general Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan and directed disposal of pending forest clearance cases on a priority, said CM’s advisor Nasir Aslam Wani.Strategic road projects in J&K have been reviewed already, Wani said.Later, at a separate meeting, chief secretary Atal Dullo and the BRO DG discussed the ongoing strategic road projects in remote and sensitive border areas. A govt spokesperson said, these projects are vital for ensuring year-round access to far-flung areas, improving civilian mobility, and enhancing operational readiness of security forces.“Lt Gen Srinivasan also raised concerns about land acquisition that has stalled progress at several locations,” the spokesperson said. The chief secretary has assured full administrative support to swiftly resolve the challenges and directed relevant departments to work closely with BRO officials to eliminate bottlenecks.