LG, CM express gratitude to PM, Gadkari; projects include Tunnel at Peer Ki Gali
WAJAHAT SHABIR
Jammu: In a major development, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved 19 projects spanning a combined 296 kilometres with an investment of Rs 10,637 crore to improve regional connectivity, all-weather access, and road safety across Jammu and Kashmir.
The sanctioned projects begin with the strengthening and rehabilitation of the Bailey Bridge (Beerwah Bridge, 70m span) on NH-701A near Magam, approved at Rs 3 crore.
In Srinagar city, a 4-lane Pantha Chowk flyover to address stormwater drainage along the NH-44 bypass has been cleared at a cost of Rs 105 crore. Another major approval is the construction of a 4-lane Magam Flyover on the Narbal-Gulmarg section of NH-701A, with land acquisition and clearances, estimated at Rs 445 crore.
The plan includes the construction of a 2-lane Road Over Bridge (ROB) at Mazhama on the same corridor, sanctioned at Rs 21 crore, and a 2-lane bridge on NH-444 at Pulwama (Ch. 35+400) approved at Rs 8 crore. Additionally, the construction of a 2-lane Rambi-Ara bridge at Shopian on NH-444 has been cleared for Rs 71 crore, alongside a 2-lane bridge at Kurigam on NH-444 costing Rs 8 crore.
Two significant tunnel projects have been sanctioned: the Peer Ki Gali tunnel on NH-701A, with an estimated cost of Rs 3,830 crore, and the Sadhna tunnel on NH-701, at Rs 3,330 crore — both of which are awaiting transfer of DPR from NHDCL to BRO. These tunnels are expected to provide reliable, all-weather connectivity in high-altitude regions.
In addition, road safety works have been prioritized. These include protection works on the NH-44 bypass in Srinagar (17.8 km) approved at Rs 30 crore, and safety interventions along the Narbal-Gulmarg section of NH-701A (37 km) at Rs 66 crore. Crash barriers and road furniture will also be installed from Km 74.900 to 108.000 on the Sonamarg-Zojila section of NH-01 under BRO, sanctioned at Rs 11 crore. Further, hill slope stabilization near Cherwan village on NH-01 at Km 44 has been approved for Rs 44 crore.
To strengthen mountain roads, ILCB pavement works between Km 95.000 and 100.841 on the Sonamarg-Zojila stretch have been sanctioned at Rs 23 crore. A Project Management Consultancy (PMC) for the widening and upgradation of the NH-701A from Shopian to Magam (75 km) has been approved with a budget of Rs 300 crore. Also included is the conversion and improvement of the Zaznal-Shopian section of NH-701A, sanctioned at Rs 852 crore.
To improve traffic flow in South Kashmir, the Ministry has cleared a 2-lane + paved shoulders (2L+PS) Qazigund bypass on NH-444 (6 km), estimated at Rs 95 crore. Urban decongestion efforts in Srinagar will be supported by the construction of a 4-lane flyover from Lal Chowk to Parimpora Junction on NH-01, sanctioned at Rs 700 crore (pending clearance by the UT Government). Finally, construction and improvement of the RKCTC Trehgam-Chamkot section of NH-701 (from Km 51 to Km 119.700), upgrading 68 km from 2L/2L+PS to 4-lane configuration, has been approved at Rs 966 crore, though marked as a low-priority project.
Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha has expressed his gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari for giving approval to 19 mega road and tunnel projects worth 10, 637 crore with length of 296 kms for J&K UT.
“Many strategically important projects will improve logistical support and troops mobility. Projects will improve Infrastructure in the Union Territory and connect various tourist destinations. Construction of tunnels will reduce the travel time, ensure all-weather connectivity and spur economic growth,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
In a major achievement, my government has got ₹10,600 crores worth of road & tunnel projects approved by the Union Government. I’m grateful to PM Narendra Modi and Nitin Gadkari for their continued support as we try to steer J&K on a path of progress, development & connectivity, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote on X.
