The Government of India (GoI) has allocated Rs 81 crore for the maintenance of national highways in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh under the Short Term Maintenance Contract (STMC) and Performance-Based Maintenance Contract (PBMC) schemes for the financial year 2024-25.
According to the details provided by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Jammu & Kashmir has been allocated Rs 34 crore for STMC works covering 96 km of national highways, while PBMC works will cover 28 km at a cost of Rs 37 crore.
Similarly, Rs 10 crore have been sanctioned for the maintenance of 6 km of national highways under the STMC scheme in Ladakh, with no PBMC projects approved this year.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has implemented stringent monitoring measures, including app-based tracking through NHAI One and Tatpar Apps, allowing real-time digital reporting of road defects, geo-tagged inspections, and digital test result uploads.
The Ministry said that contractors and concessionaires are responsible for road maintenance during the defect liability period (DLP). Non-compliance results in penalties, extended DLP periods, and blacklisting.
“Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh’s challenging mountainous terrain and extreme weather conditions make highway maintenance a critical concern,” it said.
The Ministry said that the Zojila Pass and other high-altitude routes remain susceptible to landslides and heavy snowfall, requiring continuous upkeep—(KNO)
