Hardeep Jamwal, JNM Journalist, Jammu
Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari attended the historic breakthrough ceremony of the Zojila Tunnel at Minamarg, Dras, on Tuesday and made a series of major announcements for Jammu & Kashmir. He announced the construction of a new national highway connecting Katra, Reasi, and Kulgam to Srinagar at a cost of ₹12,000 crore. Upon completion of this highway, the journey from Delhi to Srinagar will be possible in just 11 hours.
Gadkari noted that the Delhi-Katra Expressway, nearing completion, will cover the distance from the capital to Katra in eight hours. Meanwhile, the proposed Katra-Reasi-Kulgam highway will cover the stretch from Katra to Srinagar in just three hours. Thus, the total journey from Delhi to Srinagar will be possible within 11 hours.
Projects Worth ₹1.35 Lakh Crore
The Union Minister stated that highway projects worth approximately ₹1.35 lakh crore are currently underway or proposed in Jammu & Kashmir. This figure encompasses completed, ongoing, and upcoming works. The objective of these projects is to strengthen connectivity in the region, improve logistics efficiency, and accelerate socio-economic development.
Four Major High-Speed Corridors
Gadkari mentioned that four key high-speed corridors are being developed to boost connectivity. The Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar corridor is nearly ready and will significantly reduce travel time. The Jammu-Chenani-Anantnag corridor will link the Chenab Valley with the Kashmir Valley. The Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri corridor will facilitate movement in North Kashmir, while the Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch corridor will give a new identity to the border districts.
Benefits for Tourism and Horticulture
The Union Minister also highlighted several upcoming projects of strategic importance, including the Katra-Srinagar high-speed corridor, the Rafiabad-Kupwara-Chowkibal-Tangdhar road project, and the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri corridor. He stated that these projects would improve connectivity to border areas and provide a significant boost to tourism and horticulture. Plans are also being formulated for the Surankote-Bafliaz-Doodhpathri-Magam corridor to connect the Pir Panjal region with the Kashmir Valley.
Ring Roads in Both Cities
Gadkari mentioned that Ring Road projects in both Srinagar and Jammu are progressing in a phased manner. The Srinagar Ring Road will facilitate smoother traffic flow towards Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Gurez, Kargil, and Leh. Additionally, the Srinagar airport and railway station will be connected via dedicated routes. The Jammu Ring Road will help reduce urban congestion and provide a shorter route towards Katra.
New Expressway to Connect North India
The Union Minister stated that the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Greenfield Expressway would give a new dimension to economic ties in North India. This modern, access-controlled highway will further strengthen the connection between Jammu & Kashmir and the national mainstream.
