Ramban, Sep 20: The construction work on the two-lane Mehad–Cafeteria Morh C-shaped tunnel, part of the Udhampur-Ramban section of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44), has remained stalled since December 2023 following the detection of cracks and bulges inside the under-construction structure.
According to officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the excavation had reached approximately 400 meters of a total 780 meters from the Mehad side before the work was temporarily suspended.
The decision was taken after a joint inspection by experts from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and NHAI engineers flagged serious safety concerns due to fragile geology.
This tunnel, initiated as part of a 2021 realignment project aimed at bypassing the landslide-prone areas along this critical highway, has faced repeated delays over the years, primarily due to unstable terrain, weather disruptions, and geological challenges.
The current status of the GSI’s findings is still awaited, with no official word on when work might resume.
In the meantime, a cut-and-cover tunnel (canopy tube) near the site was completed in June 2025 and has been operational, offering partial relief from traffic congestion on this hazardous stretch.
However, concerns remain high, particularly due to recurring landslides near Mehad Bridge (towards the Jammu side), especially during the rainy season.
These landslides continue to cause road blockades, posing serious risks to commuters and highway users.
Earlier, the then Project Director of NHAI had indicated that construction would resume and the tunnel would be completed by December 2024, but no progress has been made since the suspension in late 2023.
Locals have voiced serious concerns over the prolonged inaction and wastage of public funds, with crores of rupees already spent on excavation.
They also allege that the initial excavation work carried out since 2017-18 further destabilised the area, making it even more prone to landslides and road accidents.
Amid growing safety concerns and continued road disruptions, locals have appealed to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for urgent intervention.
They are urging the ministry to direct NHAI officials, especially those in the Regional Office, Jammu and Kashmir, to resume and complete the tunnel work without further delay, ensuring safe and uninterrupted connectivity for users travelling on this vital highway.
