SRINAGAR: The government has said that four-laning of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, NH-44, is largely complete, with delays now confined to a 14-kilometre geologically fragile stretch between Ramban and Banihal, which is scheduled for completion by June 2027.
The update was shared by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in the Rajya Sabha on December 17, 2025, in response to a starred question by Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo on the status and delays in NH-44 and the Singpora–Vailoo Tunnel project.
According to the ministry, NH-44, a 244-kilometre strategic corridor connecting Jammu with Srinagar, has been upgraded to four lanes along about 230 kilometres. This includes the Jammu–Ramban and Banihal–Srinagar sections, along with 20 tunnels spanning 21 kilometres and nine bypasses covering 63 kilometres. All major segments, including the Jammu Bypass, the Chenani–Nashri Tunnel and the Banihal–Qazigund and Qazigund–Srinagar stretches, have already been completed.
The remaining unfinished portion lies in the Ramban–Banihal section, where work is underway under three contract packages. The ministry said this stretch passes through major thrust and fault zones and involves the construction of five tunnels, measuring about eight kilometres, and viaducts extending nearly six kilometres. Frequent landslides, difficult geology, realignments and the need for additional engineering interventions have led to repeated delays.
To address ecological and geotechnical challenges, the government said detailed investigations and environmental mitigation measures have been undertaken. These include satellite-based ground displacement monitoring on a pilot basis to anticipate landslides, realignments to reduce hill cutting, construction of viaducts and cut-and-cover structures at vulnerable points, and slope stabilisation through soil nailing, rock bolting and bio-engineering. Package-wise, one tunnel package has achieved over 82 per cent physical progress and is now targeted for completion by February 2026, while two other packages are scheduled to be completed by December 2026 and June 2027 respectively.
On the Singpora–Vailoo Tunnel, which is seen as a key alternative all-weather link between south and central Kashmir, the minister said the Detailed Project Report has been prepared and over 90 per cent of the required land has already been acquired. Stage-I forest clearance has also been obtained.
However, the earlier tender for the tunnel project was cancelled after the selected bidder was rejected on national security grounds. The ministry said the DPR is currently being reviewed to optimise design and costs related to construction, operation and maintenance. Fresh tendering will be taken up after a new appraisal and approval of the project, though no definitive execution date has yet been announced.
The government said NH-44 remains a critical lifeline for Jammu and Kashmir, and that the remaining works are being executed with enhanced engineering safeguards to ensure long-term stability and safer year-round connectivity across the Pir Panjal range.
