All-weather roads to boost tourism, troops, and trade: LG Sinha
KD NEWS SERVICE
JAMMU, June 23:
Jammu and Kashmir has received a major infrastructure boost with the Government of India approving 19 significant road and tunnel projects worth ₹10,637 crore. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has finalized the National Highways Action Plan for 2025–26, giving the green light to projects covering a total length of 296 kilometres in the Union Territory.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari for their continued focus on the development of Jammu and Kashmir. He described the sanctioned projects as a milestone that would significantly improve connectivity, especially in strategic and remote regions of the Union Territory.
According to the Lieutenant Governor, these road and tunnel projects are of immense strategic value. They are expected to enhance the movement of security forces, improve logistical support in sensitive areas, and at the same time, open up new avenues for economic activity and tourism. “Strategic road and tunnel projects will ensure all-weather connectivity, boost tourism and enhance troop mobility,” LG Sinha remarked while welcoming the approval.
The major infrastructure ventures sanctioned include the construction of the Peer-Ki-Gali tunnel on National Highway 701A with a budget of ₹3,830 crore and the Sadhana tunnel on National Highway 701 worth ₹3,330 crore. Other key components of the plan involve the upgradation of the Zaznar-Shopian stretch of NH-701A, a four-lane flyover from Lal Chowk to Parimpora in Srinagar, development of the Trehgam-Chamkote section of NH-701, and construction of the Magam flyover on the Narbal-Gulmarg road. In addition, a bypass at Qazigund and a two-lane bridge over Rambiara at Shopian on NH-444 are also part of the plan.
In a parallel development, MoRTH has also approved the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and feasibility studies for multiple upcoming national highway projects, envisioned to be taken up over the next three years. These include the widening and upgradation of NH-444 from Srinagar to Qazigund, development of a new road between Shopian and Magam, construction of the 10.8-km Panjtarni tunnel with a 31-km approach road, and upgrading the Domail–Katra–Bamla stretch of NH-144 to four-lane standards.
Officials believe these projects will not only enhance regional connectivity and reduce travel time but also bring far-flung tourist destinations closer to the mainstream, thereby accelerating economic growth across Jammu and Kashmir.
