Officials said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari approved 19 mega projects to build 296 km of roads and tunnels for Jammu and Kashmir. File
| Photo Credit: X/@nitin_gadkari via PTI
The Centre approved 19 road and tunnel projects worth ₹10,637 crore for Jammu and Kashmir on Monday (June 23, 2025). These projects will cut travel time and provide all-weather access to several pockets of the frontier districts located close to the Line of Control (LoC).
Officials said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari approved 19 mega projects to build 296 km of roads and tunnels for J&K.
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The Peer-Ki-Gali tunnel, worth ₹3,830-crore, will provide alternative all-weather connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country. The Sadhana tunnel that will cost ₹3,330-crore. will allow round-the-year access to Karnah district close to the LoC. “Many strategically important projects will improve logistical support and troop mobility. Projects will improve infrastructure in the Union Territory and connect various tourist destinations. Construction of tunnels will reduce the travel time, ensure all-weather connectivity, and spur economic growth,” J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said.
The other projects approved are the Zaznar Shopian section for ₹852-crore; a four-lane flyover from Lal Chowk to Parimpora for ₹700-crore; the Trehgam-Chamkote section for ₹966 crore; a four-lane Magam flyover on the Narbal-Gulmarg section for ₹445 crore; the Qazigund Bypass for ₹95 crore; and a two-lane bridge over Rambiara at Shopian for ₹71 crore.
Mr. Sinha expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Gadkari for approving the projects.
Major achievement
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the approval “a major achievement for his government.”
“I’m grateful to PM Modi and Gadkari ji for their continued support as we try to steer J&K onto a path of progress, development, and connectivity,” Mr. Abdullah said.
An NC spokesman said that, led by the CM, the J&K government has successfully convinced the Government of India to take up key infrastructure projects like the Mughal Road tunnel and the tunnel to Tangdhar. “These are significant achievements that will benefit our people immensely,” the NC said.
The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), headed by MP Engineer Rashid, also thanked PM Modi and Mr. Gadkari for approving the much-awaited Sadhana Tunnel, “a critical infrastructure project that will ensure all-weather connectivity to the border region of Tangdhar in Kupwara district.”
AIP spokesman Inamul Haq, said Engineer Rashid’s meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari during the winter session of the Parliament “has borne fruit.” Mr. Rashid, who represents Baramulla, is presently in prison.
Published – June 24, 2025 05:47 am IST
