Project Sampark celebrates 50 years of infrastructure development in J&K

Project Sampark, a key initiative for maintaining and constructing roads in Northern Command south of the Pir Panjal ranges, marked its 50th anniversary on Wednesday.
Established on January 1, 1975, as an offshoot of Project Beacon, Sampark was initially allocated 3.4 crore rupees to oversee approximately 500 kilometres of road network.
Over the decades, the project’s scope has expanded significantly, now encompassing responsibility for approximately 3,000 kilometres of roads with an annual financial outlay of about Rs 1,400 crores. The project, which plays a crucial role in developing strategic road networks across border districts in Jammu, Kathua, Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri, Reasi and Poonch, also fosters harmonious relations with various stakeholders involved in road development.
To commemorate this milestone, Major General MK Khan, VSM, and Additional Director General of Army Postal Service presented a special cover during a solemn ceremony attended by Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan, VSM, Director General of Border Roads, and Brigadier Neeraj Madan, Chief Engineer of Project Sampark, alongside other senior officials from HQ DGBR.
Apart from the unveiling of the special cover, a “Bridge Compendium” highlighting the achievements of Project Sampark over the last 50 years was released. This compendium showcases the vital bridging accomplishments of the project and highlights its role in enhancing infrastructure within Jammu and Kashmir.
“Project Sampark is not just about constructing roads; it embodies the connection of hearts, minds, and aspirations of the local populace,” Lt Gen Srinivasan said. He praised the dedicated personnel who work tirelessly under challenging conditions to improve connectivity for remote areas, thus opening new trade routes and contributing significantly to socio-economic development.
As part of its anniversary celebrations, Project Sampark reaffirmed its commitment to its motto of “Sadaiv Agrasar” (Always Advancing) and pledged to continue serving the nation with renewed vigour and dedication. The event served as a poignant reminder of the project’s past successes and a motivating call to action for its future endeavours.