Connectivity and Growth Soar in Kashmir
Suhail Khan
The Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a remarkable transformation in the last four years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
After the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir has experienced significant progress, development, and prosperity.
All civil departments have actively worked towards the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the improvement of the Union territory, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the LG-led government.
Kashmir Despatch has accessed detailed information about the Public Works (R&B) Department, whose work in the last four years has marked a significant achievement. The department has surprised everyone with the first-ever accomplishments in the history of Kashmir.
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, NABARD RIDF, Central Road and Infrastructure Fund, Macadamization programs, Bridge program, and PMDP projects have collectively contributed to enhanced connectivity, economic development, and employment generation in the region.
The road and bridge infrastructure projects have not only enhanced connectivity and facilitated the transportation of goods and people, but they have also had a positive impact on employment generation.
As per data available with Kashmir Despatch, Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the government has connected 2107 rural habitations with a population of 250+ in Jammu and Kashmir. By March 2024, a total of 18336 kilometers of road length will be constructed under the PMGSY. In terms of road length constructed, Jammu and Kashmir has consecutively ranked 3rd at the national level during 2020-21 and 2021-22.
As per the official data, The government has also obtained a loan from NABARD under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) program for the construction of rural roads and bridges in Jammu and Kashmir. Since 2019-20, 1057 road and bridge projects have been sanctioned under RIDF, with an additional 183 projects sanctioned for the current year.
The Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) has been utilized for the development and maintenance of state roads. A total of 294 major road and bridge projects have been sanctioned under CRIF since 2000.
The government has also focused on macadamization programs to improve the road surfaces in cities, towns, and major district roads. Over the past six years, a total of 16807 kilometers of road length has been achieved through macadamization.
Bridges have been given special attention due to the topography of the Union Territory. Currently, 338 bridges are under construction, and 290 bridges have been completed in the past five years as per the official data accessed by Kashmir Despatch.
The PMDP projects, which include road projects, tunnels, flyovers, and bypasses, have also witnessed significant progress. Various tunnels, flyovers, and bypasses have been tendered, and allotted, and are at different stages of completion.
The complete data here :
PMGSY Progress 2019-24:
In the year 2019-20, a total of 181 schemes were completed in J&K under the PMGSY, with a length of 1174.94 kilometers constructed. 16 bridges were also constructed during this period. The expenditure for these projects was Rs. 1324.12 crores, and J&K ranked 9th nationally for its progress.
Moving on to the year 2020-21, J&K saw even greater progress with 243 schemes completed and a length of 3166.52 kilometers constructed. 21 bridges were also constructed during this period. The expenditure for these projects was Rs. 932.37 crores. This exceptional performance led J&K to rank 3rd nationally.
Continuing the trend, in the year 2021-22, J&K completed 344 schemes and constructed 3283.30 kilometers of roads. 53 bridges were also constructed during this period. The expenditure for these projects was Rs. 1485.28 crores. Once again, J&K achieved a national ranking of 3rd.
However, in the year 2022-23, the number of schemes completed decreased to 410, and only 461.85 kilometers of road length was constructed. 30 bridges were constructed, and the expenditure for these projects was Rs. 1114.78 crores. As a result, J&K’s national ranking dropped to 20th.
As of December 14, 2023, in the ongoing year 2023-24, 90 schemes have been completed, and 601 kilometers of road length has been constructed. 7 bridges have also been constructed, with an expenditure of Rs. 938 crores. J&K currently ranks 9th nationally.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY):
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a government initiative in India aimed at connecting rural habitations with a population of 250 or more through all-weather roads. In Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), a total of 2140 rural habitations were identified as eligible for connectivity under this scheme based on the 2001 census.
The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India has sanctioned 3453 projects (including 239 Local Self-Benefit projects) under the PMGSY-I & II for the construction of 19049 kilometers of roads at an estimated cost of Rs. 12565 Crores. Additionally, 276 projects (including 65 Local Self-Benefit projects) have been sanctioned under PMGSY-III for the upgradation of 1617 kilometers of roads at an estimated cost of Rs. 2093 Crores.
Despite the limited working season in J&K, the state has achieved 99% of the sanctioned program. By March 2023, a total of 2107 habitations had already been connected, and 12 more habitations were connected in the current year (up to November 30, 2023). The remaining 33 habitations are targeted to be connected by March 2024, completing a total road length of 18336 kilometers based on the sanctioned program.
Another important project in J&K is the NABARD project sanctioned from 2019 to 2024 under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). A total of 1057 projects have been sanctioned during this period, with an estimated cost of Rs. 4550 Crores. The completion status and expenditure for each year are as follows:
1. 2019-20: 84 projects sanctioned, estimated cost of Rs. 231 Crores, 43 schemes completed, and expenditure of Rs. 176.88 Crores.
2. 2020-21: 115 projects sanctioned, estimated cost of Rs. 419 Crores, 20 schemes completed, and expenditure of Rs. 98.74 Crores.
3. 2021-22: 400 projects sanctioned, estimated cost of Rs. 1585 Crores, 36 schemes completed, and expenditure of Rs. 201.91 Crores.
4. 2022-23: 275 projects sanctioned, estimated cost of Rs. 1402 Crores, 74 schemes completed, and expenditure of Rs. 510 Crores.
For the year 2023-24, up to November 2023, 183 projects have been sanctioned with an estimated cost of Rs. 913 Crores. However, no schemes have been completed or expenditures made as of now.
Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF):
CRIF Schemes Overview:
– Roads: A total of 236 road projects have been sanctioned under the CRIF schemes. These projects have a combined length of 3037 kilometers and an estimated cost of Rs 3395 crore. As of November 2023, 127 projects have been completed, achieving a length of 1827 kilometers. The expenditure incurred on these projects is Rs 2190 crore.
– Bridges: There are 58 bridge projects sanctioned under the CRIF schemes. The length of these bridges is not specified, but the estimated cost is Rs 920 crore. Out of these, 34 projects have been completed with an expenditure of Rs 516 crore.
– Overall: The total number of projects sanctioned under the CRIF schemes is 294 with an estimated cost of Rs 4315 crore. As of November 2023, a total of 161 projects have been completed, achieving a length of 1827 kilometers. The expenditure incurred on these projects is Rs 2706 crore.
Yearwise Progress Achieved under CRIF:
– 2019-20: 11 schemes were completed with an expenditure of Rs 207.10 crore.
– 2020-21: 8 schemes were completed with an expenditure of Rs 192.77 crore.
– 2021-22: 8 schemes were completed with an expenditure of Rs 357.51 crore.
– 2022-23: 20 schemes were completed with an expenditure of Rs 410.90 crore.
– 2023-24 (up to November): 15 schemes were completed with an expenditure of Rs 124.89 crore.
Macadamizationprogrammes:
Macadamisation achieved from 2017-18 to 2022-23:
2017-18: 4575 kms
2018-19: 2387 kms
2019-20: 2290 kms
2020-21: 5136 kms
2021-22: 7610 kms
2022-23: 4061 kms
Macadamisation per day (in kms):
2017-18: 8.45 kms
2018-19: 15.35 kms
Bridges
Completion of bridges: 2017-22
– 2019-20: 58 bridges completed at a cost of Rs 220.69 Cr
– 2020-21: 78 bridges completed at a cost of Rs 190.36 Cr
– 2021-22: 91 bridges completed at a cost of Rs 208.31 Cr
– 2022-23: 47 bridges completed at a cost of Rs 120.89 Cr
– Up to November 2023: 16 bridges completed at a cost of Rs 64.09 Cr.
PMDP Projects:
National Highway Projects Progress: 2017-23
1. NHAI:
– Expenditure: Rs in Cr
– 2019-20: 1378.33
– 2020-21: 1040.42
– 2021-22: 1387.24
– 2022-23: 3567.46
– Total: 7373.45
– Length achieved: Kms
– 2019-20: 8.52
– 2020-21: 33.56
– 2021-22: 56.18
– 2022-23: 58.08
– Total: 156.34
2. NHIDCL:
– Expenditure: Rs in Cr
– 2019-20: 48.63
– 2020-21: 222.60
– 2021-22: 645.21
– 2022-23: 903.29
– Total: 1819.73
– Length achieved: Kms
– 2021-22: 26.91
– 2022-23: 62.64
– Total: 89.55
4. BRO:
– Expenditure: Rs in Cr
– 2019-20: 32.37
– 2020-21: 37.03
– 2021-22: 94.47
– 2022-23: 458.87
– Total: 622.74
– Length achieved: Kms
– 2019-20: 12.34
– 2020-21: 16.52
– 2021-22: 22.26
– 2022-23: 30.74
– Total: 81.86
6. PWD:
– Expenditure: Rs in Cr
– 2019-20: 21.32
– 2020-21: 51.88
– 2021-22: 40.96
– 2022-23: 63.93
– Total: 178.09
– Length achieved: Kms
– 2019-20: 15.20
– 2021-22: 108.32
– 2022-23: 25.72
– Total: 149.24
Total:
– Expenditure: Rs in Cr
– 2019-20: 1480.65
– 2020-21: 1351.93
– 2021-22: 2167.88
– 2022-23: 4993.55
– Total: 9994.01
– Length achieved: Kms
– 2019-20: 36.06
– 2020-21: 50.08
– 2021-22: 213.67
– 202
PMDP Project-wise achievements: 2017-23
No. Project As on 3/2020 As on 11/2023
1 Construction of Semi Ring Road in Jammu 1891.00 2024.00
2 Construction of Semi Ring Road in Srinagar 1860.00 2920.00
3 Four-laning of Jammu-Udhampur Section of NH-1A (Km 15 to 67) 2648.98 2659.00
4 Udhampur- Ramban Road (Km 67 to 89, 130 to 151) 2137.00 2137.00
5 Four-laning of Chenani-Nashri Section of NH-1A (Km 89 to 130) (Tunnel Project- 9 Km long tunnel-2 lane) 4707.64 5084.30
6 Ramban-Banihal Road (Km 151.000 to Km 187.00) 2169.00 2169.00
7 Four-laning of Srinagar- Banihal Section of NH-1A 2898.77 2935.26
8 Four-laning of Qazigund-Banihal Section of NH-1A- Tunnel Project 2915.73 3120.91
9 Chenani- Sudhmahadev-Goha road 255.90 5147.69
10 Construction of double lane road Batote- Kishtwar-Sinthan pass-Anantnag 130.00 130.00
11 Jammu-Akhnoor- Poonch road 1983.55 4383.42
12 Kalai Bridge, Sukhato Bridge, Bridge on NH-144A at Km 150.50 33.93 33.93
13 Upgrading Srinagar-Uri-LOC Road, Double laning of Srinagar- Leh road via Kargil and Uri-Kaman post 790.90 1167.23
14 Srinagar- Shopian-Qazigund road 162.47 233.82
15 Baramulla-Gulmarg Road 84.60 84.60
Total 24669.47 35191.16
In addition to the projects mentioned above, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has also sanctioned the construction of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway in Jammu and Kashmir. The expressway will consist of the following sections:
1. P-14: Balsua (Punjab) to Hiranagar – Length: 44.60 km, Physical progress: 20.00%, Date of completion: Sept, 2024
2. P-15: Hiranagar to Jakh village (junction with Jammu Ring Road) – Length: 35.15 km, Physical progress: 27%, Date of completion: Sept, 2024
3. P-16: Jakh to Kunjwani including Kunjwani to 4th Tawi bridge and spur connectivity to Jammu Airport – Length: 20.385 km, Physical progress: 25%, Date of completion: Sept, 2024
4. P-17: Kunjwari to Sidhra and Domel to Katra – Length: 28.92 km, Physical progress: 1.07%, Date of completion: Sept, 2024
5. P-18: Sidhra to Ban Village – Length: 19.00 km, Work awarded
These projects aim to improve connectivity and infrastructure development in the Jammu and Kashmir region.
Tunnels, flyovers and bypasses under PMDP/NH projects
New Tunnels (21):
– Zojilla tunnel on NH-1 (14.15 Kms): Physical progress 43%
– Z-Morh tunnel on NH-1 (6.50 Kms): Physical progress 81%
– PeerahKunfer tunnel on NH-44 (0.888 Kms) (2 No.): Completed
– Cafetariamorh tunnel on NH-44 (0.800 Kms) (2 No.): Work in progress
– Kela Morh tunnel on NH-44 (0.323 Kms): Completed
– Marog tunnel on NH-44 (0.234 Kms): Completed
– Khuni Nallah tunnel on NH-44 (0.585 Kms): Completed
– Panthiyal tunnel on NH-44 (0.870 Kms): Completed
– Marog tunnel on NH-44 (0.395 Kms): Completed
– Chamalwas tunnel on NH-44 (0.340 Kms): Work in progress
– Marog to Digdole on NH-44 (4.23 Kms): Work in progress
– Digdole to Khooni nallah on NH-44 (3.0 Kms): Work in progress
– Jammu Ring Rd tunnel on NH-244A (2.15 Kms): Work started
– Kundi tunnel on NH-144A (0.260 Kms): Work in progress
– Sungal tunnel on NH-144A (2.79 Kms): Work in progress
– Nowshera tunnel on NH-144A (0.700 Kms): Work in progress
– Bimber Gali tunnel on NH-144A (1.10 Km): Under tendering
– Sudhmahadev Dranga tunnels on NH-244 (8.00 Km) (2 No.): Work being awarded
– VailooSinghpora tunnel on NH-244 (10.36 Kms): Work being awarded
– Khilani Bypass tunnel on NH-244 (1.57 Kms): Physical progress 67%
– Chamoti-Drabshala tunnel on NH-244 (0.495 Kms): Physical progress 46%
New Flyovers (39):
List of flyovers and their present status:
i. Flyover at Chadwal on DAK EW (840 mtr): Work recently commenced
ii. Flyover at Gagwal on DAK EW (1625 mtr): Work recently commenced
iii. Flyover at Supwal on DAK EW (660 mtrs): Work recently commenced
iv. Flyover at Vijaypur on DAK EW (2460 mtrs): Work recently commenced
v. Flyover at Jakh on DAK EW (525 mtrs): Work recently commenced
vi. Flyover at Tarore on DAK EW (1285 mtrs): Work recently commenced
vii. Flyover at Sarore on DAK EW (8185 mtrs): Work recently commenced
viii. Kunjwani to Satwari flyover on DAK EW (3950 mtrs): Work recently commenced
ix. Flyover at Channi Himmat chock on DAK EW (1050 mtrs): Work recently commenced
x. Sunjuwan To Jammu City flyover on DAK EW (1090 mtrs): Work recently commenced
xi. Viaduct at Rangoora on DAK EW (500 mtrs): Work recently commenced
xii. Viaduct at Rangoora on DAK EW (400 mtrs): Work recently commenced
xiii. Viaduct at Majeen on DAK EW (800 mtrs): Work recently commenced
xiv. Viaduct at Sidhra on DAK EW (400 mtrs): Work recently commenced
xv. Flyover at Katra on DAK EW (700 mtrs): Work recently commenced
xvi. Viaduct at Dharore on DAK EW (300 mtrs): Work recently commenced
xvii. Viaduct at Kandyar on DAK EW (500 mtrs): Work recently commenced
xviii. Viaduct at Pamore on DAK EW (700 mtrs): Work recently commenced
xix. Viaduct at Numai Check post on DAK EW (300 mtrs): Work recently commenced
xx. 4 lane Tawi bridge at Sidhra on DAK EW (1000 mtrs): Work recently commenced
xxi. Viaduct at Bann on DAK EW (1750 mtrs): Work recently commenced
xxii. 4th Tawi Bridge flyover on NH-144A (1350 mtrs): Work started.
xxiii. Canal head to Paloura flyover on NH-144A (5200 mtrs): Completed
xxiv. Samba flyover on NH-44 (1090 mtr): Completed
xxv. NashriDhalwas section viaduct (NB V2/ V3 – 910.10 mtr): Work in progress
xxvi. NashriDhalwas section viaduct (SB V2/V3– 940.10 mtr): Work in progress
xxvii. Makerkot – Ramsoo – Nachlana section Viaduct (NB V1 to V4 – 4663 mtr): Work in progress
xxviii. Makerkot – Ramsoo – Nachlana section Viaduct (SB V1/V2 – 950 mtr): Work in progress
xxix. Ramban bypass flyover on NH-44 (1080 mtrs): Completed & commissioned.
xxx. Banihal bypass flyover on NH-44 (2350 mtrs): Completion by May 2024.
xxxi. Qazigund tunnel to Banihal flyover on NH-44 (1420 mtr): Completed
xxxii. Lasjan flyover on NH-44 (560 mtr): Work in progress
xxxiii. Bemina flyover on NH-44 (880 mtrs): Work in progress
xxxiv. Nowgam flyover on NH-44 (850 mtrs): Work in progress
xxxv. Sanatnagar flyover on NH-44 (850 mtrs): Work in progress
xxxvi. Ganderbal flyover on NH-1 (1500 mtrs): Work tendered
xxxvii. Flyover for Sumbal town on NH-1 (2000 mtrs): Work being started
xxxviii. Sangrama flyover on NH-1 (660 mtrs): Work started
xxxix. Delina flyover on NH-1 (1704 mtrs): Work allotted
xl. ParimporaShalteng flyover (1726 mtrs): Sanction letter received during December, 2023
Bypasses
Name of Bypasses Present status
Lakhanpur/ Kathua town bypass Work in progress
Hiranagar bypass Work in progress
Samba bypass Work in progress
Udhampur bypass Completed
Ramban bypass Completed
Banihal bypass Work in progress
Qazigund bypass Completed
Anantnag/ Bijbehara bypass Completed
Awantipora bypass Completed
Pampore bypass Completed
Pattan bypass Under tendering
Baramulla bypass Under tendering
Akhnoor bypass Work in progress
Sunderbani bypass Work in progress
Katra bypass Work being started
Thathri bypass Work in progress
Kishtwar bypass Work in progress
Chatroo bypass Work in progress
Donipawa- Ashajipora- Alstop bypass Work in progress
Seer bypass Under sanction
Ashmuqam bypass Under sanction
Pahalgam bypass Under sanction
Pulwama bypass Work in progress
Kulgam bypass Work in progress
Shopian bypass LA in progress
Qazigund bypass Under sanction
Ring Roads
Jammu Ring Road: 58 Kms
Srinagar Ring Road Phase I: 42 Kms
Srinagar Ring Road Phase II: 24 Kms
Srinagar Ring Road Phase IIA: 11 Kms.
Pertinently, the abrogation of Article 370 has not only changed the scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, which once used to be a victim of shutdowns and strike calls, but it has also brought growth to the business sector. With young entrepreneurs writing success stories day by day, the overall situation in the union territory has completely transformed, symbolizing a new era, new hope, and a new beginning.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
