Jammu, June 23 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, after the approval of 19 major road and tunnel infrastructure projects worth ?10,637 crore for Jammu and Kashmir.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has finalized the action plan for the year 2025–26, which includes the development of 296 kilometers of National Highways in the Union Territory. These new projects aim to strengthen connectivity, enhance troop mobility, and improve access to key tourist and remote areas.
Among the significant projects sanctioned are the construction of the Peer-Ki-Gali tunnel on NH-701A (?3830 Cr), Sadhana tunnel on NH-701 (?3330 Cr), Zaznar-Shopian section of NH-701A (?852 Cr), a four-lane flyover from Lal Chowk to Parimpora (?700 Cr), the Trehgam-Chamkote section of NH-701 (?966 Cr), the Magam Flyover on Narbal-Gulmarg section (?445 Cr), and the Qazigund Bypass (?95 Cr). Additionally, a two-lane bridge over the Rambiara River at Shopian on NH-444 (71 Cr) has also been approved.
“These projects are strategically vital,” LG Manoj Sinha said. “They will improve logistical support for our forces, ensure all-weather road connectivity, and promote tourism and economic growth in the region.”
The Ministry has also given the green light for the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and feasibility studies for future National Highway projects to be taken up over the next three years. These include the widening and upgradation of NH-444 from Srinagar to Qazigund (63 km), construction of a 75-km road from Shopian to Magam on NH-701A, development of a 10.8-km Panjtarni tunnel with a 31-km approach road, and four-laning of the Domail-Katra-Bamla stretch of NH-144 (82 km).
This major infrastructure boost is expected to play a key role in transforming transportation in Jammu and Kashmir, improving quality of life, and opening up new economic opportunities for the people of the region.(KNS)
