Kashmir, June 24, 2025- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari for sanctioning 19 road and tunnel projects worth 10,637 crore rupees for the Union Territory. Announced on June 23, 2025, these projects aim to improve connectivity, strengthen infrastructure, and drive economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a post on his personal X account, Abdullah called the approval a significant milestone for his government. He wrote, “In a major achievement, my government has got 10,600 crore worth of road & tunnel projects approved by the Union Government. I’m grateful to PM Narendra Modi ji & Minister Nitin Gadkari ji for their continued support as we try to steer J&K on a path of progress, development & connectivity.” The official X account of the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister echoed the same message.
The projects, part of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ 2025-26 action plan, include upgrading 296 kilometers of National Highways. Notable among them is the Peer Ki Gali tunnel on NH-701A, costing 3,830 crore rupees, which will ensure all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and the Pir Panjal region through the Mughal Road. Another key project is the Sadhana tunnel on NH-701, allocated 3,330 crore rupees, to provide year-round access between Kashmir and the Karnah region near the Line of Control in Kupwara district. These tunnels will shorten travel times and improve access to remote and tourist areas.
Additional projects involve upgrading a 28-kilometer stretch of the Zaznar-Shopian road and conducting feasibility studies for further National Highway developments, such as widening NH-444 from Srinagar to Qazigund and developing NH-144 from Domail to Katra. These efforts are expected to enhance troop mobility, improve border access, and boost tourism and economic activities.
Abdullah assured that the Jammu and Kashmir government would collaborate closely with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to ensure timely completion of these projects. He emphasised their role in advancing progress, development, and connectivity in the Union Territory.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also thanked Modi and Gadkari, stating on X, “Extremely grateful to Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji & Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji for giving approval to 19 mega road and tunnel projects for J&K UT worth Rs.10,637 Crore.”
The National Conference, led by Abdullah, highlighted its role in securing these approvals through persistent efforts with the Union Government. A senior party member noted that projects like the Mughal Road tunnel and the Tangdhar tunnel were prioritised due to the state’s advocacy.
The Awami Ittehad Party, led by Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, thanked Modi and Gadkari for the Sadhana tunnel, attributing its approval to Rashid’s discussions with Gadkari during Parliament’s winter session. Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also welcomed the approvals, calling them a moment of celebration and expressing hope for prosperity and sustained development in Jammu and Kashmir.
These projects are set to transform Jammu and Kashmir’s infrastructure by providing reliable connectivity, reducing travel times, and enhancing economic and strategic ties. With the Union Government’s backing and the state’s commitment to efficient implementation, the initiatives promise to accelerate growth and integration in the region.
