SRINAGAR: Road and transport infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a major boost since 2014, with projects worth nearly Rs 1.35 lakh crore undertaken to strengthen connectivity across the Union Territory, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta said on Tuesday.
Tamta said the scale of investment represents a significant shift from the pre-2014 period, when highway development in Jammu and Kashmir was constrained by difficult terrain, frequent landslides and limited all-weather connectivity.
He made the remarks while conducting an extensive inspection of key national highway projects, during which he travelled the entire Srinagar–Jammu stretch of NH-44 on Monday.
Highlighting what he described as an “unprecedented transformation” in the region’s road infrastructure, the Minister said substantial progress has been achieved over the past decade.
He stated that works worth nearly Rs 1.35 lakh crore have been taken up since 2014. Of these, around 700 km of road projects worth Rs 20,000 crore have been completed, while 2,300 km valued at approximately Rs 50,000 crore are currently under construction.
He further said Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for another 707 km of roads, estimated at Rs 65,000 crore, are under preparation.
Tamta also highlighted tunnel construction as a major component of infrastructure expansion in the Union Territory. He said only five tunnels existed in Jammu and Kashmir before 2014, whereas the Jammu–Srinagar corridor alone now has 25 tunnels, including 20 completed and five under construction.
He said several strategic projects, including the Zojila Tunnel, Digdol–Khooni Nallah, Sungal, Bhimber Gali, Sinthan Pass, Sudhmahadev, Sadhna Pass, Peer Ki Gali and the parallel Chenani–Nashri alignment, are expected to ensure reliable, all-weather connectivity across the region.
The Minister appreciated the work of executing agencies and directed officials to ensure timely completion of ongoing projects while maintaining quality standards, safety measures and public convenience.
He said the sustained infrastructure push over the past 12 years has transformed Jammu and Kashmir from “difficult and disrupted connectivity” into a modern, all-weather, high-speed and integrated transport network, adding that the projects will boost tourism, pilgrimage, industry, defence logistics and overall socio-economic development in the Union Territory.
