Jammu, Jun 16: Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Ajay Tamta on Tuesday stated that four high-speed corridors worth Rs 50,000 Cr were presently under construction in J&K and the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of road development works worth Rs 65,000 Cr were being prepared.
Crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unrelenting and transformative development push in the last 12 years, he asserted that the works worth over Rs 70000 Cr, undertaken by his department (MoRTH) only, were currently underway in J&K.
Once they (works) were completed, the distance between Jammu and Srinagar by road would be reduced to four hours or so, Ajay Tamta said, while responding to media queries on the sidelines of a series of political events and review meetings lined up for him on the fourth day of his J&K visit.
Four high speed corridors, presently under construction, include Jammu–Udhampur–Srinagar; Jammu–Chenani–Anantnag; Srinagar–Baramulla–Uri and Jammu–Akhnoor.
Union Minister of State, MoRTH affirmed that the high-speed corridors would improve the access to the Kashmir valley, Chenab valley, Rajouri–Poonch, North Kashmir and key border areas, aiding tourism, trade and defence mobility.
He maintained that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi created a new history with an unprecedented spate of development during the last 12 successful years of transformative governance across the country, including J&K.
“Entire world is witnessing a new India, emerging as a confident global power. In connection with 12 years of public service and good governance unleashing spree of infra development leaving no sphere untouched and connectivity projects, for the past four days, I’ve been in Jammu and Kashmir, reviewing growth trajectory and connecting with masses. I’m amazed to find out that the (road development) works worth over Rs 70000 Cr are presently underway in J&K under my department only,” Tamta shared.
He informed that during a review meeting earlier during the day (Tuesday), he assessed progress of road development projects executed and undertaken by NHAI, NHIDCL, BRO and the MoRTH in J&K.
“The better connectivity has significantly reduced the distance between Jammu and Srinagar. In many cases, 70 to 80 percent of work has been completed. At some places, the works, which are presently stalled for some reason, are being monitored to remove bottlenecks and expedite the process. Once they get completed in next few months, the Jammu-Srinagar journey will be completed in around 4 hours, curtailing the travel time by 3-4 hours which earlier used to be covered in 8-9 hours and even 12 hours in case of traffic congestion,” he said.
Union Minister of State, MoRTH maintained that IIT, IIM, 2 AIIMS in J&K indicated its march towards progress in the last 12 years.
Enhanced rail connectivity through Vande Bharat already made it possible to cover Jammu-Srinagar distance in three or three and a half hours (by rail), he said.
“Last twelve years have been revolutionary the way the country has witnessed infrastructure development besides public welfare measures, all aimed at bringing new confidence among people. Defence sector and security along the border has been bolstered. Prime Minister Modi during his tenure as PM has tried to fulfil aspirations and needs of an ordinary family in the country – ignored by the Congress during its 54 years of rule,” Ajay Tamta stated.
“Now even a common household in the country has access to basic amenities viz., power, water, toilet, house, good education and health facilities. The farmers have been empowered with dignity. The country is making rapid strides in innovation and research in spheres of education, health, science, and technology and this rise is being acknowledged by the entire world,” he maintained.
Joined by J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma and MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, the Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta led the “Pragati Path Yatra” at IIM Jammu.
J&K BJP had organised a “Pragati Path Yatra” and “Sankalp Sammelan” in Jammu, highlighting the transformative journey of New India on the completion of 12 successful years of trust, development, and public welfare under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Later, Ajay Tamta visited Tirupati Balaji temple in Jammu outskirts and paid obeisance there. MP Jugal Kishore Sharma and MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana accompanied him.
Tamta effusively praised the magnificent architecture of the temple, attracting a heavy influx of pilgrims. He stated during his stay in Jammu, he participated in cleanliness drives and plantation campaigns viz., “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” to celebrate the transformative works of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government during 12 years.
“PM has been working as guardian of all 140 people of the country. God will bless him with more power to continue work for the country,” he said.
Earlier Ajay Tamta conducted an extensive inspection of key National Highway projects followed by a high-level review meeting held at the Convention Centre, Jammu on June 15.
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 officers of NHAI, NHIDCL, BRO, PWD and MoRTH accompanied him during the field inspections.
The review meeting was attended by Members Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma and Sat Pal Sharma, MLAs Chandra Prakash Ganga, Yudhvir Sethi, Vikram Randhawa, Arvind Gupta and Surendra Bhagat besides senior officials from all highway agencies.
The officials briefed the Minister on the progress of ongoing and upcoming works funded by MoRTH, covering projects being executed by NHAI, NHIDCL, BRO and PWD across the Union Territory.
Highlighting the shift since 2014, Ajay Tamta said that Jammu and Kashmir had undergone an “unprecedented transformation” in road and transport infrastructure. Before 2014, highway development in the region was limited, with difficult terrain, frequent landslides and poor all-weather connectivity.
“Since then, works worth nearly Rs 1.35 lakh Cr have been taken up. Of this, 700 km worth Rs 20,000 Cr have been completed, 2,300 km worth Rs 50,000 Cr are under construction and DPRs for another 707 km worth Rs 65,000 Cr are being prepared,” the Minister stated.
Describing tunnel construction as a major focus, he said that only five tunnels existed in J&K before 2014. “Today, the Jammu–Srinagar corridor alone has 25 tunnels with 20 completed and five under construction,” he added.
Strategic projects such as the Zojila Tunnel, Digdol–Khooni Nallah, Sungal, Bhimber Gali, Sinthan Pass, Sudhmahadev, Sadhna Pass, Peer Ki Gali and the parallel Chenani–Nashri alignment, according to him, are expected to ensure reliable, year-round connectivity.
The meeting was informed that Rs 16,000 Cr Jammu–Udhampur–Srinagar four-lane corridor achieved 95 percent progress. “Once complete, it will cut the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar from nine hours to about four hours and reduce the distance by nearly 70 km. Tunnels, viaducts, bypasses and landslide protection measures are turning the NH-44 into a safer all-weather route,” it was informed.
To further strengthen resilience, works worth Rs 230 Cr are being taken up at 15 vulnerable locations between Udhampur and Banihal, while bypasses worth Rs 600 Cr have already been completed at Banihal, Ramban, Ashajipora, Seri and Makarkote.
The 670-km Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Greenfield Expressway, costing Rs 41,000 Cr, will also strengthen the pilgrimage connectivity. Within J&K, 143 km of the expressway worth Rs 11,500 Cr is slated for completion by August 2027, reducing Delhi–Katra distance by 58 km.
The meeting was further told that urban mobility was being addressed through ring roads.
The 104-km Srinagar Ring Road, costing Rs 7,200 Cr, will divert through traffic from the city and improve links to Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Gurez, Kargil and Leh. The 58-km Jammu Ring Road is nearing completion with 53 km already operational while DPR work is underway for the 33-km Eastern Jammu Ring Road.
The next phase includes DPRs for 707 km of highways worth Rs 65,000 Cr. Key upcoming projects are the 125-km Katra–Srinagar High-Speed Corridor, the Rafiabad–Kupwara–Tangdhar route with Sadhna Tunnel, the Surankote–Bufliaz–Doodhpathri–Magam corridor with Peer Ki Gali Tunnel, Samba–Mansar–Udhampur four-laning, Srinagar–Sonamarg–Gumri corridor and new service roads and underpasses on the Srinagar–Qazigund stretch.
It was informed in the meeting that pilgrimage and tourism infrastructure has also received attention. DPRs are being prepared for 60 km of Amarnath Yatra road works worth Rs 3,500 Cr. Rs 880 Cr Katra Intermodal Station will integrate rail, road and heli-services for devotees visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
Additionally, 54 ropeway proposals worth Rs 30,000 Cr have been received, with eight projects worth Rs 16,000 Cr to be taken up in the first phase at sites including Shri Amarnath Ji Cave, Shankaracharya Temple, Thajiwas Glacier, Bhadarwah, Sanasar and Doodhpathri.
The MoS appreciated the work of all agencies and directed the officials to complete the projects within stipulated timelines while maintaining quality, safety and public convenience.
He said the infrastructure push of the last 12 years has moved Jammu and Kashmir “from difficult and disrupted connectivity to modern, all-weather, high-speed and integrated transport.”
The projects, he added, would boost tourism, pilgrimage, industry, defence logistics and overall socio-economic growth in the Union Territory.
