A significant 143-kilometer stretch of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway within Jammu and Kashmir is slated for completion by August 2027, marking a crucial milestone in the region’s infrastructure development. This ambitious project, part of the larger 670-kilometer Greenfield Expressway being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 41,000 crore, is poised to dramatically enhance pilgrimage and regional connectivity.
During a recent review visit to the Union Territory, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Ajay Tamta, was apprised of the progress on this vital expressway and other key infrastructure initiatives. Officials present at the briefing indicated that the Jammu and Kashmir segment alone, with an investment of Rs 11,500 crore, is expected to reduce the travel distance between Delhi and Katra by approximately 58 kilometers upon its completion. This development is anticipated to streamline travel for pilgrims heading to the revered Vaishno Devi shrine and improve overall accessibility across the region.
As per information available with TahirRihat.com, Minister Tamta undertook an extensive tour along the entire Srinagar-Jammu section of National Highway-44. His inspection encompassed critical infrastructure, including the Qazigund-Banihal and Chenani-Nashri tunnels, the notoriously landslide-prone Ramban-Banihal stretch, and the ongoing Srinagar and Jammu Ring Road projects, all being executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Furthermore, the Minister reviewed the Chenani-Sudhmahadev road section and examined the proposed alignment for the Sudhmahadev-Dranga tunnel, a project managed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). Senior officials from NHAI, NHIDCL, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the Public Works Department (PWD), and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways accompanied the Minister throughout these site inspections.
Minister Tamta highlighted the transformative impact of infrastructure development in Jammu and Kashmir since 2014, describing it as an unprecedented advancement in road and transport connectivity. He noted that prior to 2014, the region’s highway infrastructure faced considerable challenges due to its difficult terrain, frequent landslides, and limited all-weather access. Since then, projects valued at nearly Rs 1.35 lakh crore have been initiated. Of these, 700 kilometers of roads, costing Rs 20,000 crore, have been successfully completed. An additional 2,300 kilometers of roads, worth Rs 50,000 crore, are currently under construction, with detailed project reports (DPRs) being prepared for another 707 kilometers of roads, estimated at Rs 65,000 crore.
Tunnel construction has been a central focus of these development efforts. While Jammu and Kashmir had only five tunnels before 2014, the Jammu-Srinagar corridor now boasts 25 tunnels, with 20 already completed and five still under construction. Strategic projects such as the Zojila Tunnel, Digdol-Khooni Nallah, Sungal, Bhimber Gali, Sinthan Pass, Sudhmahadev, Sadhna Pass, Peer Ki Gali, and the parallel Chenani-Nashri alignment are expected to ensure reliable year-round connectivity, significantly mitigating the impact of adverse weather conditions.
Officials further informed the meeting that the Rs 16,000-crore Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar four-lane corridor has achieved an impressive 95 percent progress. Once fully operational, this corridor is projected to reduce travel time between Jammu and Srinagar from the current nine hours to approximately four hours, while also shortening the distance by about 70 kilometers. The integration of tunnels, viaducts, bypasses, and robust landslide protection measures is fundamentally reshaping National Highway-44 into a safer and more dependable all-weather highway.
To bolster resilience further, works valued at Rs 230 crore are currently underway at 15 vulnerable locations situated between Udhampur and Banihal. Additionally, bypasses worth Rs 600 crore have already been completed at key locations including Banihal, Ramban, Ashajipora, Seri, and Makarkote, aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion.
Urban mobility is also receiving a significant boost through ongoing ring road projects. The 104-kilometer Srinagar Ring Road, a Rs 7,200-crore undertaking, is designed to divert through traffic away from the city center, thereby improving connectivity to important towns such as Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Gurez, Kargil, and Leh. Concurrently, the 58-kilometer Jammu Ring Road is nearing its final stages of completion, with 53 kilometers already operational. The preparation of DPRs for a proposed 33-kilometer Eastern Jammu Ring Road is also in progress, indicating a continued commitment to enhancing urban transportation networks.
In preparation for the annual Amarnath Yatra, DPRs are being developed for 60 kilometers of road works, with an estimated cost of Rs 3,500 crore. To further facilitate pilgrim access, the Rs 880-crore Katra Intermodal Station is being developed to seamlessly integrate rail, road, and heli-services for devotees visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine. The region is also exploring enhanced ropeway infrastructure, with 54 proposals totaling Rs 30,000 crore having been received. Eight of these projects, valued at Rs 16,000 crore, are proposed for the initial phase and are planned for locations including the Amarnath cave, Shankaracharya Temple, Thajiwas Glacier, Bhadarwah, Sanasar, and Doodhpathri, signaling a multifaceted approach to improving connectivity and tourism across Jammu and Kashmir.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.