Srinagar, Jul 24 (KNO): Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo Thursday held a meeting with the Chairperson of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Santosh Kumar Yadav, to review the status and expedite the implementation of critical highway infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
The NHAI Chairperson, who called on the Chief Secretary at the Civil Secretariat, was accompanied by the Regional Officer, NHAI Jammu, and other senior officials.
The deliberations focused on both ongoing projects and newly sanctioned road infrastructure initiatives aimed at enhancing all-weather connectivity, supporting regional development, and strengthening the strategic road network in the UT.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary underlined the immense importance of these vital road links for a region like J&K, which remains heavily dependent on external supply chains due to its geographically sensitive and climatically challenging terrain.
He emphasized that uninterrupted road connectivity is essential for ensuring the smooth movement of essential commodities, especially during the harsh winter months when weather-related disruptions frequently impact mobility.
Special attention was drawn to the NH-44 stretch between Banihal and Ramban, where the Chief Secretary stressed the need for timely completion of tunnels and viaducts to mitigate disruptions caused by adverse weather. Highlighting the strategic and economic relevance of the region, Dulloo noted that J&K’s key sectors tourism, horticulture, and agriculture are closely tied to robust road infrastructure.
The Chief Secretary also called for accelerated implementation of flagship projects including the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway Corridor, Tunnel construction on the Jammu Ring Road, and Enhancing pace of work on the Srinagar Ring Road. He further impressed upon NHAI to take up the development of service roads along the Domel-Udhampur and Qazigund-Srinagar stretches of NH-44 on priority.
Reiterating the critical need for improved connectivity to remote and border areas, Dulloo advocated for the expeditious execution of key tunnel projects such as Sadhna Pass Tunnel for all-weather access to Gurez Valley, Singhpora–Vailoo Tunnel, and Sudhmahadev Tunnel on NH-244 to establish a dependable alternate highway to the Kashmir Valley, especially benefiting the remote districts of Doda and Kishtwar.
The Chief Secretary also sought active support from NHAI in fast-tracking the approval of DPRs (Detailed Project Reports) for a number of strategic road projects that are vital to the region’s development and economic growth.
These includes Development of the Fourth Tawi Bridge, Upgradation of the Satwari–Suchetgarh (Old Jammu–Sialkot) Road to NH standards, Construction of Phase-II of the Jammu Ring Road, Expansion of the Chenani–Nashri Tunnel, Upgradation of the Samba–Mansar–Udhampur Road, Development of the Kathua–Bhasoli–Bani–Bhaderwah–Doda corridor, Bhaderwah–Chamba Road, Phase-III of the Srinagar Ring Road besides others.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to enhance inter-agency coordination and ensure time-bound execution of all highway development works, with a shared vision of building a more connected, resilient, and economically vibrant Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)