10-04-2023 : Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced on Monday that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is undertaking developmental works worth Rs 1,25,000 crore in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The minister, who was in Srinagar after inspecting the strategic Zojila and Z Morh tunnels, revealed that around 500 km of road network has been completed in the region since 2014. Moreover, around 1700 km of roads are being constructed at a cost of Rs 75,000 crore.
Gadkari said that the government is constructing 41 significant tunnels in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh at a cost of Rs 45,000 crore. Additionally, ropeways worth Rs 5,000 crore will be constructed in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. To make the journey between Jammu and Srinagar comfortable, the government is constructing three corridors worth Rs 35,000 crore. The earlier distance of 320 km between Jammu and Srinagar will get reduced by 70 km after the completion of these corridors.
The design of four-laning of the Jammu-Srinagar highway is based on geo-technical and geo-scientific investigations to reduce the obstacles caused by landslides. Gadkari also informed that a new 78 km 4-lane ring road is being constructed in Srinagar at a cost of Rs 4,660 crore. Moreover, a four-lane road will be constructed from Khanabal to Panjtarni to ease up the journey of Amarnath pilgrimage.
The Minister said that the improvement in road infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to increase the tourist footfall by three to four times in the coming years. Gadkari further informed that 38% work has been completed on the Zojila tunnel till date and work is on at full pace to complete the remaining work. He added that the Z Morh tunnel will be thrown open in October 2023.
In summary, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is undertaking a massive developmental work in Jammu and Kashmir, which includes the construction of roads, tunnels, and ropeways. The government is also taking steps to improve the journey of Amarnath pilgrimage and is building new infrastructure to boost tourism in the region.