Social Impact Report: World Bank’s Sidhra- Surinsar Road project sparks economic, tourism boom

Jammu : The Sidhra-Surinsar road upgradation project, funded by the World Bank, has not only enhanced the picturesque region but also sparked joy, prosperity, and a surge in tourism. Commuters and tourists alike are expressing their satisfaction with the much-needed improvements to the roadway.
A team led by Technical Assistance and Quality Audit Control (TAQAC) experts of the Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) carried out a detailed survey to assess commuter satisfaction with the roadway to spot “pain and delight areas” and to identify areas where improvement in service was required. However, the majority of the people of the areas have expressed satisfaction with their overall experience.
Locals expressed their satisfaction, saying despite several bottlenecks the project was completed as people of the area have started to reap the benefits in abundance.
Rashmi Choudhary, a school teacher in Surinsar area, said that there were many bottlenecks which have been cleared by the concerned departments and many promising developmental projects have been taken up. She said that the World Bank-funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project has been able to complete the much-awaited road project from Sidra to Surinsar, which has not only benefited the locals, but also generated a huge tourism potential for the locals.
Previously, she said, there were obstacles, hindering the fair allocation of the project. Grateful for the government’s shift towards rural areas, she added.
An elderly man, Thodu Ram of Aithem village in Surinsar area, said that it was so pleasing to see beautiful roads connecting their villages to the city nerve centre.
“This has eased our life. This has provided employment to scores of our men in the village. They take public transport from their village, go to the city and come back in the evening,” joyous Ram said.
Notably, in what could be seen as a major achievement by the current dispensation led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
The World Bank has maintained that its Rs 1500 crore project in J&K has largely achieved its objective and, in some cases, surpassed the agreed targets. Rs 1500 crore project funded by the World Bank was a non-starter earlier, but the completion of the project saw the light of the day when Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah took the reins.
Pertinently, Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, had inaugurated Rs 16.70 Cr. Sidhra- Surinsar road upgradation project completed by Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (JKERA).
The LG in his speech on the day of inauguration lauded the executing agency and the role of officials, saying that the Rs 16.70 Cr road project executed by JKERA was very vital as it provides road connectivity to the various pilgrimage and tourist destinations in and around the Jammu district.
Chief Executive Officer, JKERA, who is also Secretary Tourism, Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah, said that the vital road project will facilitate the socio-economic development of areas including Bajalta, ChakChilah, Badgah, Aithem and Surinsar, benefitting around five lakh souls in the region.
“The road will give a boost to the tourism sector in Jammu and adjoining areas as it completes the pilgrimage, tourist circuit from Pumandal. Mansar, Devkand, connecting with Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and Sudhmahadev in Reasi and Udhampur district,” he said.