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.
