Union MoS Ajay Tamta reviews J&K highway projects
Four-hour Jammu–Srinagar travel target as major highway works progress
Jammu, June 16: Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta concluded his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday after reviewing progress on key National Highway projects and chairing a high-level meeting in Jammu.
During the review, officials informed that detailed project reports (DPRs) are being prepared for around 60 km of road works worth ₹3,500 crore aimed at strengthening infrastructure for the Amarnath Yatra and boosting tourism in the region.
It was informed in the meeting that Pilgrimage and tourism infrastructure has also received attention. The ₹880-crore Katra Intermodal Station will integrate rail, road and heli-services for devotees visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. Additionally, 54 ropeway proposals worth ₹30,000 crore have been received, with eight projects worth ₹16,000 crore to be taken up in the first phase at sites including Shri Amarnath Ji Cave, Shankaracharya Temple, Thajiwas Glacier, Bhadarwah, Sanasar and Doodhpathri.
During the visit, the MoS travelled the entire Srinagar–Jammu section of NH-44, inspecting the Qazigund–Banihal and Chenani–Nashri tunnels, the landslide-prone Ramban–Banihal stretch and the ongoing Srinagar and Jammu Ring Road projects being executed by NHAI. He also assessed the Chenani–Sudhmahadev stretch and the proposed Sudhmahadev–Dranga tunnel alignment under NHIDCL.
Senior officials from NHAI, NHIDCL, BRO, PWD and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways briefed the minister on ongoing and upcoming projects across Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting infrastructure expansion in the region, Tamta said highway development has accelerated over the past decade, with works worth nearly ₹1.35 lakh crore taken up. According to officials, projects worth ₹20,000 crore have been completed, while works worth ₹50,000 crore remain under construction and DPRs are being prepared for another ₹65,000 crore.
Officials said the ₹16,000-crore Jammu–Udhampur–Srinagar four-lane corridor has achieved 95 per cent progress and is expected to reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar from nearly nine hours to around four hours upon completion.
The review also covered four high-speed corridors worth ₹50,000 crore and urban mobility projects including the Srinagar and Jammu Ring Roads, aimed at improving connectivity, tourism access and economic movement across the region.
Tamta directed implementing agencies to adhere to timelines while maintaining quality and safety standards, stating that improved connectivity would strengthen tourism, pilgrimage, trade and overall socio-economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
