Ramban: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed the 3.5-km-long AT-03 southbound tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), with the facility expected to be opened for traffic before the commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra.
The tunnel, constructed between Panthyal and Digdool in Ramban district at an estimated cost of Rs 846 crore, forms part of the ongoing modernisation of the strategically important Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
According to officials associated with the project, the tunnel will provide a safer, faster, all-weather route by bypassing the vulnerable Khooni Nala and Panthyal stretches, which have long been prone to landslides, shooting stones, flash floods, road accidents, and frequent traffic disruptions.
Harish Kunja, Technical Manager of Sarla Project Works Pvt. Ltd., said the commissioning of the tunnel would significantly improve the reliability of traffic movement on the highway.
“The tunnel would provide a safer, faster and all-weather route by bypassing the vulnerable Khooni Nala and Panthyal stretches, which have long been prone to landslides, shooting stones, flash floods, road accidents and frequent traffic disruptions,” he said.
He added that the Khooni Nala and Panthyal sections have for decades remained among the most hazardous stretches of NH-44, particularly during the monsoon season, often resulting in prolonged road closures and posing serious risks to commuters.
“With the commissioning of the new tunnel, these accident-prone sections will be completely bypassed, ensuring smoother and more reliable movement of passenger and freight traffic,” Kunja said.
Officials said the project is expected to facilitate the movement of pilgrims during the upcoming Amarnath Yatra by reducing travel time, easing congestion and improving safety along the national highway.
The completion of the tunnel has also been welcomed by local residents, transporters and stakeholders in the tourism sector, who said it would improve year-round connectivity between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.
Apart from enhancing road safety, the tunnel is expected to boost tourism, facilitate trade and commerce, and strengthen the resilience of the only all-weather surface link connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country.
The completion of the AT-03 southbound tunnel marks another milestone in the ongoing upgradation of NH-44, aimed at improving highway infrastructure and ensuring seamless connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir.
