BSF to pay rent of land used for border fencing in J&K: Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today said the Border Security Force would pay rent to the owners of land from the time it has taken possession for fencing of borders.

"BSF will also pay compensation to the owners after acquiring the land and the state administration has finalised an arrangement with BSF in this regard," Omar said in response to some points raised by some legislators at a meeting of the Jammu District Development Board.

The chief minister said the government is contemplating launching a comprehensive City Mobility Plan for the twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar to streamline traffic movement, improve and upgrade road networks, introduce additional commuter facilities including launch of metro service and other programmes in a planned and balanced manner.

"We have already tied up with a national agency RITES to make detailed studies and finalise a report. We expect RITES to start work in this regard by March," he said.

The requirement of additional flyovers and bridges in Jammu and Srinagar cities would be conceptualised in this mega development strategy, the chief minister said.

He said that the culture of traffic lights to manage movement of vehicles in the cities of Srinagar and Jammu is yet to be cultivated and government is also working with two reputed companies to make studies and formulate DPR for this purpose.