Security forces directed to secure vital infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir

Security at J&K’s infra projects strengthened after the Ganderbal terror attack

The Union Territory administration in Jammu and Kashmir has finally woken up from its deep slumber after losing seven precious lives in the ‘dastardly’ terror attack on the campsite of construction workers engaged by the Apco Infratech for its flagship project of all-weather Z-Morh tunnel in the central Kashmir district of Ganderbal.

The Z-Morh tunnel is a 6.4-km long tunnel designed to connect Sonamarg health resort to Kangan town in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. Located near Gagangir village, the tunnel will ensure all-weather access to Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination along the Srinagar-Leh highway.

To prevent similar terror strikes on any other key infrastructure project Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has directed the security forces to secure vital infrastructure projects in the region. He also directed them to ensure stricter access control and regular patrolling around the project sites.

The security forces have also decided to undertake a fresh security audit of some vital projects before strengthening the existing security grid.

It has been revealed two heavily armed terrorists barged inside the campsite of Apco-Infratech late Sunday evening without facing any resistance in the absence of a strict management access control mechanism in place. Once inside the campsite, these terrorists opened indiscriminate firing on the construction workers. As they were not challenged by anyone they reached one of the staff mess and here they killed members of the supervisory staff having dinner together.

A local doctor from Budgam, a designer from Jammu, a Bihar-based safety manager, and a mechanical manager from Madhya Pradesh were killed on the spot.

Security guards of a private security agency stationed in and around the campsite proved ineffective as they were not trained and adequately equipped to counter the terrorist attack.

At present thousands of construction workers and field engineers are working 24×7 on various developmental projects in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Chairing a security review meeting with the top officers of the police and civil administration LG Manoj Sinha said the safety and security of workers and officers working on key infrastructure projects is the highest priority for the government. He directed that the security grid should be further strengthened to ensure zero terror incidents in order to push rapid social and economic development in the region.

The targeted attack on the Apco Infratech campsite in the Gund area of Sonamarg in the Central Kashmir district of Ganderbal has also exposed the issue of coordination between the project executing agencies and the government departments.

A retired officer connected with the road construction projects revealed while executing tunnel projects along the Jammu Srinagar National Highway when we were in the process of launching the tunnel we came across intelligence inputs warning us to take adequate safety and security measures to prevent the entry of explosive material inside the tunnel to prevent any sabotage.

The officer further revealed when we approached the central agency to advise us on the issue we received a reply directing us to suggest to the project executing agencies to make a provision for the safety mechanism and securing the tunnel project. The Central ministry completely washed its hands claiming they don’t have the provision to fulfill the demand.

The Union Territory administration had earlier approved the creation of 772 posts in the Government Railway police, J&K for the newly created units between the Katra and Banihal segments.

The railway ministry is expected to start the train services between Katra and Banihal thereby connecting the valley with the rest of India via the rail network.

The highest railway arch bridge is located in the Kauri village of Reasi along the same section. Ensuring the safety of the bridge figures high on the agenda of the government.

Similarly, security has been beefed up across vital power generation projects in Kishtwar, Reasi, and Uri.

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