SRINAGAR: The Central government has revealed that 100 road projects worth Rs 1,957.03 crore are currently underway in the Union Territory under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF). Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari also confirmed that the Centre has released a total of Rs 2,878.56 crore to the UT so far, comprising Rs 2,827.94 crore for roads and Rs 50.62 crore for bridges under the Setu Bandhan component.
The district-wise breakdown shows that road infrastructure investment has been spread widely across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions. Doda district leads with the highest number of ongoing projects — 18 in total — amounting to Rs 267.29 crore, followed closely by Rajouri with 9 projects worth Rs 178.02 crore and Kishtwar with 8 projects costing Rs 152.65 crore.
In the Jammu region, the district of Jammu itself has seven active road works valued at Rs 320.85 crore, while Kathua also has seven projects underway, estimated at Rs 150.91 crore. Samba and Reasi districts are each implementing six road works at costs of Rs 90.88 crore and Rs 101.36 crore respectively. Poonch has two projects (Rs 27.45 crore) and Udhampur has three (Rs 53.20 crore). Ramban is currently executing three projects for Rs 94.78 crore.
In the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar is undertaking six road projects worth Rs 133.11 crore. Baramulla has seven projects with a cumulative cost of Rs 123.87 crore. Anantnag is engaged in four road works (Rs 61.51 crore), while Ganderbal and Bandipora each have three ongoing projects valued at Rs 47.45 crore and Rs 48.12 crore respectively. Kupwara too has three projects (Rs 48.22 crore).
Smaller projects are also in progress in Budgam (2 projects, Rs 17.42 crore), Kulgam (1 project, Rs 13.53 crore), Pulwama (1 project, Rs 11.70 crore), and Shopian (1 project, Rs 14.71 crore), reflecting government efforts to ensure region-wide development.
However, when asked whether the roads in Jakhu, Arnia, Majua, Nandpur, Ala, and Dumlad in the Jammu division were covered under the scheme, the government clarified that these roads have not been included among the sanctioned CRIF projects. The Ministry stated that CRIF project selections are made based on proposals and priority lists submitted by the Union Territory government, as well as the availability of funds and liabilities of earlier sanctioned projects.
With a combined financial layout nearing Rs 2,000 crore and another Rs 900 crore already released in previous years, the initiative marks a significant investment in Jammu and Kashmir’s rural and regional infrastructure, likely to play a crucial role in improving connectivity, easing transport, and boosting the local economy.
