Nitin Gadkari to arrive Jmu today

Jammu: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will lay the foundation stone of 25 national highway projects of a total length of 257 km with an investment of Rs 11,721 crore in Jammu on Wednesday.
According to officials the three major highways are being upgraded in Jammu and Kashmir and it would give a respite to the local population due to ease in connectivity. One of the major projects of which the foundation would be laid by the Union Minister is an alternate axis to Kashmir from Chenani (Udhampur) to Anantnag via Sinthantop along the NH244.
The highway starts from Chenani, connecting Sudh Mahadev, Goha, Khaleni, Kishtwar, Sinthan pass, and terminating at its junction with NH-44 near Khanabal in Anantnag. This project is a part of an alternate axis to Kashmir Valley via Chenab Valley.
This alternate connectivity between the Kashmir valley and Jammu provinces via Sinthantop would give a huge respite to the local population [Districts Doda and Kishtwar], officials said.
“It will divert the main traffic from NH-44 at Chenani town and traverse through the approach road of the proposed Sudhmahadev-DarangaTunnel, then through the instant road stretch, finally terminating Old Batote Doda Highway,” a senior official said.
The other project for which foundation would be laid will be the realigned sections of Ramban to Banihal stretch of NH-44 along the Jammu Srinagar highway. The stretch is presently one of major problem areas along the highway. This project will also include construction of four lane twin tube tunnel from Marog to Digdol and another four lane twin tube tunnel from Digdol to Khuni Nallah along this stretch of NH44 “This stretch will provide all weather connectivity avoiding slide prone areas of the section,” an official said. Work on Akhnoor Poonch section of NH144A is also being initiated in seven packages by Project Sampark of Border Road Organisation. The road is being upgraded to NH double lane specification and involves construction of tunnels. National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) is already executing 4 laning of Jammu- Akhnoor section. The upgradation projects will ease the transportation woes of the people of Poonch and Rajouri districts. Gadkari will lay the foundation stones of 25 National Highway projects in Jammu & Kashmir at 3 PM on Wednesday.