The Government of India has cleared a fresh set of infrastructure projects aimed at improving road connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir. Among the 19 newly sanctioned works are the long-awaited tunnels through Pir Ki Gali on the Mughal Road and Sadhna Pass in Karnah, together expected to cost over Rs 7000 crore. These tunnels are poised to end the seasonal isolation of vast areas, ensuring road access even during harsh winters. The approval, confirmed through a communiqué from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, includes construction of two tunnels, three major flyovers, four bridges, and ten additional road projects. The cumulative cost of all 19 sanctioned works stands at Rs 10,637 crore. The 9-km Pir Ki Gali tunnel on the Mughal Road and the 7-km Sadhna tunnel near the Line of Control are the centrepieces of this push. Both are designed to ensure uninterrupted access to high-altitude regions often cut off due to snowfall. The Border Roads Organisation will take over the execution of these tunnels, following the immediate transfer of DPRs from NHIDCL. The flyovers greenlit under this plan include a four-lane structure at Pantha Chowk (Rs 105 crore), another at Magam on the Narbal-Gulmarg highway (Rs 445 crore), and a third connecting Lal Chowk to Parimpora junction in Srinagar (Rs 700 crore). The road from Trehgam to Chamkot will also undergo extensive improvements under a Rs 966 crore allocation. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, acknowledging their role in approving these large-scale initiatives. In a social media post, the LG noted that many of the projects will enhance troop mobility and improve access to tourism hubs, in addition to reducing travel time and ensuring all-weather movement. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed appreciation, claiming that these approvals were secured by his administration. He credited the Centre’s support for helping Jammu and Kashmir move ahead in road infrastructure and connectivity. The project approvals mark one of the largest single-day investments in road infrastructure for the Union Territory in recent years, with expectations of both practical benefit and economic momentum once execution begins. The approved infrastructure projects hold the potential to reshape connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in remote and snow-bound regions. The tunnels through Pir Ki Gali and Sadhna Pass will provide round-the-year access to areas that remain cut off for months during winter, easing both civilian movement and the transport of essential supplies. Improved access to the Karnah Valley and the Mughal Road will also support local economies, facilitate emergency services, and open up new possibilities for tourism and trade. The sanctioned flyovers and bypasses in urban centres like Srinagar are expected to decongest traffic and streamline daily travel for thousands. While the scale and scope of these projects are promising, their timely execution will determine the real impact on the ground. These are not routine infrastructure projects—they represent long-standing public demands, and addressing them with speed and seriousness is both a responsibility and a necessity.
Connectivity Boost
