Srinagar, Aug 11: The Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways (MORTH) has been asked to expedite preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) of strategically-important Uri-Poonch road.

The latest status report of the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) for Jammu & Kashmir reveals that the central ministry has been asked to quicken the process of finalization of the alignment of the road.

“MoRTH requested to expedite finalization of alignment and preparation of DPR,” read the status report.

The project is part of the Rs 80068 crore development package announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in J&K on November 7, 2015.

Under the PMDP, Rs Rs 42611 crore were earmarked for building road and highway projects in J&K. Of which, 2700 crore were earmarked for three road projects, including Uri-Poonch road, under Bharatmala scheme.

Before 1947, there was a direct link between Uri and Poonch through Haji Pir Pass which now falls on the other side of the Line of Control (LoC). The Pass reduces the distance between Uri and Poonch towns by about 600-650 km.  It was captured by Indian Army during the 1965 War but Pakistan regained its possession as a result of the Tashkent agreement, under which forces of both the countries retreated to their earlier positions.  kno