MoRTH Approves Strategic Projects
The recent announcement by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), approving ₹10,637 crore worth of road and tunnel infrastructure projects for Jammu and Kashmir, marks a defining moment in the Union Territory’s developmental journey. This substantial allocation, encompassing 19 high-value projects including all-weather tunnels, four-lane flyovers, bypasses, and highway upgrades, goes far beyond routine infrastructure development. It signals a long-awaited, carefully calibrated shift toward sustainable connectivity, inclusive regional growth, and enhanced security preparedness—elements that are crucial for Jammu and Kashmir’s transformation into a more resilient, economically empowered, and well-integrated region.
Among the most consequential of these projects is the approval for the construction of the Peer Ki Gali tunnel on the Mughal Road. For decades, the Mughal Road has served as a vital alternate link between the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region, particularly connecting Shopian to Rajouri and Poonch districts. However, seasonal snowfall at high altitudes rendered the route inaccessible for much of the winter, limiting its strategic and commercial utility. The sanctioning of the ₹3,830 crore tunnel project is, therefore, more than an infrastructural intervention—it is a gateway to all-season mobility that can significantly reduce over-dependence on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and reinforce regional integration. Likewise, the approval of the Sadhna tunnel on the Rafiabad-Kupwara-Chowkibal-Trehgam-Chamkote axis for ₹3,330 crore underscores the government’s intention to enhance access to border areas such as Karnah Valley. Situated close to the Line of Control, Karnah has often remained cut off due to extreme weather and poor road conditions. The tunnel, once completed, is expected to ensure year-round accessibility, facilitating not only smoother civilian movement but also quicker military logistics—an important consideration in a region marked by a sensitive security environment. In parallel, the government’s attention to urban and tourism infrastructure is evident through the clearance of key flyover projects in Srinagar. The ₹700 crore four-lane flyover from Lal Chowk to Parimpora, and another at Magam on the Narbal-Gulmarg stretch, aim to decongest heavily trafficked city areas and promote smoother connectivity to key tourist destinations like Gulmarg. These developments promise a boost to the region’s tourism economy, which remains a crucial livelihood source for thousands, especially after years of disruption due to political unrest and natural calamities.Equally significant is the green light for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Panjtarni tunnel. Panjtarni, situated close to the revered Shri Amarnath Ji cave shrine, currently lacks direct road access and can be reached only via a demanding trek or discontinued helicopter services. The proposed 10.8-kilometer tunnel, along with a 31-kilometer approach road, will eventually enable better pilgrimage management by linking both Baltal and Pahalgam routes through a single motorable track. This initiative not only holds logistical merit but also reflects the state’s effort to make religious tourism more accessible and safe for all pilgrims. What stands out in this infrastructure blueprint is the strategic foresight it encapsulates. The projects span both the Kashmir Valley and parts of Jammu, promising more equitable development and reinforcing the idea that improved physical connectivity can pave the way for economic inclusivity, social cohesion, and administrative efficiency. Moreover, the announcement comes at a time when the broader policy discourse in Jammu and Kashmir is increasingly shifting toward governance delivery, investment promotion, and normalization through development. With rail connectivity now established from Katra to Srinagar, and the airport infrastructure undergoing modernization, these new road projects complete the triad of multi-modal connectivity that a region like J&K desperately needs. Nevertheless, infrastructure projects of this magnitude bring with them expectations and responsibilities. Timely execution, environmental sensitivity, quality control, and transparent tendering processes will be key to translating this vision into reality. Delays and cost overruns not only erode public trust but also compromise the very goals these projects aim to achieve. Local community engagement, skilled workforce mobilization, and regular progress monitoring must therefore be integral to the rollout strategy.
In the final analysis, MoRTH’s decision to invest over ₹10,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir is both a message and a mission. It is a message of trust in the region’s future potential, and a mission to ensure that no district, no village, and no community remains out of the ambit of progress. Infrastructure is not just about concrete and steel—it is about access, aspiration, and agency. As the dust begins to rise from the breaking of ground on these projects, one hopes it settles only to reveal roads that are not just motorable, but transformative.
