Jammu, Aug 1: Union Cabinet has approved the strategically crucial uni-directional twin tube Sudhmahadev–Dranga and the twin tube Singhpora–Vailoo tunnel projects with approach roads on NH-244 in Jammu and Kashmir, at a total cost of Rs 9779.42 Cr.

Approval was granted to these projects in the union cabinet meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, July 31, 2026.

Union Minister of State in PMO DrJitendra Singh, while announcing it on his social media handle on Saturday, expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the cabinet approval to these ambitious tunnel projects in his Lok Sabha constituency. He also thanked the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Nitin Gadkari for facilitating it.

DrJitendra represents the Doda-Kathua-Udhampur parliamentary constituency in Lok Sabha.

Fully Centre-funded Sudhmahadev–Dranga and Singhpora–Vailoo tunnel projects with their approach roads on Anantnag-Chenani corridor will bolster road connectivity in Udhampur and Chenab valley districts.

In mid-April this year, uni-directional twin tube Sudhmahadev–Dranga tunnel (length 12.85 km, including 2 L (lane) plus Paved Shoulder (PS) approaches) and the twin tube Singhpora–Vailoo tunnel (length 38.61 km, including 2L plus PS approaches) on NH-244 received an official approval through an Office Memorandum issued by the (Union) Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, confirming the minutes of the Public Investment Board (PIB) meeting held on April 7, 2026, thereby formalising the transformative project.

“My heartfelt gratitude to PM Sh @narendramodi Ji for the cabinet approval of the landmark 9800 Cr Sudhmahadev–Dranga and Singhpora–Vailoo tunnel projects on NH-244 in my Lok Sabha constituency. This visionary decision is a defining milestone in the transformation of Jammu and Kashmir’s transport infrastructure and a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to balanced regional development,” DrJitendra posted, with a screenshot of a national daily report about the cabinet’s approval to the projects.

Union Minister of State in PMO asserted that the strategically significant projects would “provide seamless all-weather connectivity between Jammu and the Kashmir valley while substantially improving access to the Chenab region.”

“By bypassing road stretches vulnerable to landslides, snowfall and adverse weather, the tunnels will enhance road safety, reduce travel time, improve disaster resilience, strengthen strategic and defence mobility and ensure uninterrupted movement of people, goods and essential services throughout the year,” he stated.

Beyond infrastructure, DrJitendra said, “This initiative will unlock unprecedented opportunities for economic growth, tourism, trade, employment and social development, bringing lasting benefits to the people of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Udhampur and the entire Union Territory.”

While thanking Union Minister MoRTH, he described the initiative as a “visionary investment in the future of J&K and a significant stride towards a stronger, safer and more connected India.”

Later, DrJitendra, while speaking to media persons on the sidelines of an official function in Kathua on Saturday, August 1, 2026, stated during last one year, misleading reports were carried about the Sudhmahadev tunnel that the project was cancelled.

He clarified that reports about stoppage of work were incorrect. The Union Minister said the earlier tender was cancelled because of the security issue related to the allottee. He said that later a new tender was floated and on July 31, 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the tunnel projects.

With regard to the Chhatergala tunnel project, DrJitendra informed that it was taken up in the plan – Vision 2047 document.

“We are trying to include it in our next five-year plan as it would take longer to complete it. But once completed, it would provide round the year connectivity and would thus prove to be a game changer for the region. Because presently it becomes a hideout for terrorists during extreme weather conditions when the road gets closed,” the Union Minister of State in PMO said.

Notably, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah too had recently written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari seeking early completion of both the projects.

Prior to it, on March 25, 2026, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, while replying to National Conference MP Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo’s question in Rajya Sabha about the present status, DPR, tendering, land acquisition, environment and security clearances, funds sanctioned and released, work awarded and timeline fixed for the projects related to the Sudhmahadev-Chenani tunnel, Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel besides other tunnels and road projects had informed that DPRs were completed for both the projects.

“Sudhmahadev-Dranga and Singhpora-Vailoo tunnels fall under National Highway (NH) 244. The Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for these tunnels have been completed by National Highways Infrastructure Development Company Limited (NHIDCL),” Gadkari had stated.

“The Sudhmahadev-Daranga tunnel including approaches is having a length of 12.85 km and Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel including approaches is having a length of 38.61 km. The projects for construction of these tunnels are at appraisal stage,” the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways had informed.

Regarding road projects, Gadkari had informed that the road stretch of Batote-Doda-Kishtwar is divided into two stretches.

“The Batote-Khellani section of NH-244 is of 2-lane standards. However, due to deficient alignment having steep curves, this stretch is to be bypassed through development of Chenani-Sudhmahadev-Goha-Khellanigreenfield alignment. Out of total length of 38 km from Chenani to Khellani (excluding Sudhmadev-Dranga tunnel portion) the 2-lane has been completed in 34 km and 2-laning is in progress in the remaining 4 km, which is scheduled to be completed by October, 2026,” he said.

“The Khellani-Doda-Kishtwar section of NH-244 (112.66 km) is being developed to 2-lane with paved shoulders configuration in 9 civil work contract packages, of which, 47.38 km length has been completed and remaining length is in progress,” Gadkari had shared.

Jammu, Aug 1: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said the Industrial Biotech Park (IBP) at Ghatti in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua would emerge as a major hub for biotechnology-driven innovation, startup incubation, research, entrepreneurship and industrial development, creating new opportunities for youth, scientists, farmers and industry in the Union Territory and across north India.

He was addressing a gathering during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu and the Jammu and Kashmir Science, Technology and Innovation Council for the operationalisation and management of the Industrial Biotech Park.

Describing the project as another milestone in Kathua’s development journey and a transformative initiative, the minister said J&K possesses immense strengths in biodiversity, medicinal and aromatic plants, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture and other bio-resources, which can be transformed into high-value products through scientific research, biotechnology and innovation.

He said the IBP would provide a common platform where scientists, researchers, startups, entrepreneurs, industries and farmers can collaborate under one roof.

Highlighting the transformation of India’s innovation ecosystem under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh said the vision of the Government is to create job creators rather than job seekers.

He referred to flagship initiatives such as Startup India and said India has witnessed an unprecedented startup revolution since 2014, with the number of recognised startups growing from only a few hundred to more than two lakh, reflecting a fundamental shift in the aspirations and entrepreneurial mindset of India’s youth.

Recalling the success of the CSIR Aroma Mission and the Purple Revolution, he said lavender cultivation has transformed the lives of farmers in J&K by converting traditional agriculture into profitable entrepreneurship.

He noted that the success of lavender has demonstrated how scientific interventions, value addition and market linkages can generate employment, enhance farmers’ incomes and establish sustainable bio-based enterprises.

He said similar opportunities exist in medicinal plants, aromatic crops, floriculture and other biotechnology-based sectors.

The Minister said the IBP should become a centre where innovative ideas are converted into successful enterprises. “It will promote biotechnology startups, agri-entrepreneurship, technology incubation and commercialization while encouraging young innovators and researchers to develop solutions that directly address societal needs.”

Explaining the key ingredients of a successful innovation ecosystem, Singh said sustainable innovation rests on four essential pillars—ideas from the young, experience from the elders, support from the Government and investment from industry.

He said meaningful innovation can flourish only when these four components work together in harmony.

“Government will continue to provide enabling policies, infrastructure and institutional support, while scientific institutions will generate knowledge and technology, industry will commercialise innovations and young entrepreneurs will convert ideas into successful enterprises,” he said.

Describing the MoU as much more than a formal agreement, Singh said it represents the Government’s commitment to an integrated and collaborative approach where scientific institutions, academia, industry and government departments work together rather than in isolation.

The collaboration, he said, will strengthen research, accelerate technology transfer, promote entrepreneurship and create a vibrant biotechnology ecosystem in the region.

Expressing confidence in the future of the project, Singh said the IBP will emerge as one of North India’s leading centres for biotechnology innovation. “It will strengthen research, promote commercialisation of indigenous technologies, encourage startup culture, create employment opportunities and contribute significantly to the knowledge-based economy of J&K,” he said.

Referring to Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Singh said J&K has the potential to become a major contributor to India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation.

He said the Union Territory’s rich biodiversity, scientific institutions, skilled youth, medicinal and aromatic plant resources, and growing innovation ecosystem place it in a unique position to drive biotechnology-led growth and contribute significantly to the country’s economic transformation.

Earlier in his welcome address, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu, Dr Zabeer Ahmed, he apprised the Union Minister about the various milestones in the setting up of the Industrial Biotech Park and the future plan to meet the objectives of this high-end facility.

He said the Park, established by CSIR-IIIM with support from the J&K Science & Technology Department and the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, is the first Industrial Biotech Park in North India.