Srinagar, Dec 14: The Centre has sanctioned a Rs 827.98 crore project to construct and upgrade a four-lane highway from Pandach to Manigam near Wayil Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir.
The announcement was made by Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
In a post on X, the minister said that Rs 827.98 crore for constructing and upgrading a 4-lane highway from Pandach to Manigam near Wayil Bridge, spanning 12.11 km has been approved. “The project includes a major bridge, three minor bridges, three realignments, and 51 box culverts, alongside a 2.55 km elevated structure passing through Ganderbal Town,” he said.
Gadkari said the highway will enhance connectivity for tourists and defence vehicles traveling to Leh and Kargil, adding that the project streamlines access to vital regions, fostering regional security and boosting tourism while improving overall travel efficiency.
Officials said that the highway will help streamline traffic in Ganderbal Town, particularly during the peak tourism season and the annual Amarnath Yatra. “It will ease traffic congestion during the Amarnath Yatra via Baltal and will also be beneficial for army convoys,” they said.
They said the highway will enhance connectivity to Bandipora through Sumbal, as well as to popular tourist destinations like Sonmarg and the Union Territory of Ladakh.