Gadkari Allocates Rs 2093.92 Cr For National Highway Projects In J&K

Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has announced an allocation of Rs 2093.92 crores for widening and strengthening various National Highway projects in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Gadkari announced this through a series of posts on social media platform 'X', providing a detailed breakdown of the sanctioned amounts for different projects across the Kashmir and Jammu regions.

Gadkari highlighted the allocation of Rs 1404.94 Crores for the widening and strengthening project of the Rafiabad-Kupwara-Chowkibal-Tangdhar-Chamkot section of National Highway-701 in Jammu & Kashmir. Under Project Beacon, this initiative aims to transform the 51 km route into two lanes with paved shoulders, playing a critical role in the logistics sector and facilitating tourism development in North Kashmir near the International Border.

In another post, Gadkari announced an allocation of Rs 126.58 Crores for the development, operation, and maintenance of a ropeway from SDA Parking (Near Zabarwan Park) to Shankaracharya temple in Srinagar district. Operating on the Hybrid Annuity Mode, this 1.05 km ropeway utilises MonoCable Detachable Gondola (MDG) Technology, offering a panoramic view of Srinagar city and Dal Lake while providing safe and convenient transportation, particularly benefiting individuals with disabilities and senior citizens.

Furthermore, an allocation of Rs 562.40 Crores was approved for the upgradation and strengthening project of the Nashri-Chenani section of National Highway-244. This 39.10 km initiative, spanning Udhampur and Ramban districts, aims to enhance connectivity to the prominent tourist spot of Patnitop, thereby stimulating economic development in the region.

Gadkari emphasised the multifaceted benefits of these projects, including improved logistics, enhanced tourism, eco-friendly transportation, employment opportunities for the local populace, and overall economic growth. These initiatives reflect the government's commitment to infrastructure development and regional prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.