JAMMU, September 22, 2026 – The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced that six new tunnels currently under construction across various highway projects in Jammu and Kashmir are slated for completion within the coming year. This major infrastructure update was provided by NHAI Project Director Rajiv Kumar during an interaction with a visiting media delegation from Bhopal on Monday. Highlighting the rapid pace of development, Kumar stated that the completion of these tunnels will significantly bolster all-weather connectivity throughout the complex mountainous terrain of the region. Furthermore, he noted that the vital four-laning of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44), a primary connectivity corridor for the Union Territory, is nearing its final stages, with only about 15 kilometers of the stretch remaining to be upgraded to four lanes.
The comprehensive briefing was held as part of a field visit organized for ten senior journalists led by Shariq Noor, Deputy Director of the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Bhopal. During the tour, the delegation was apprised of several transformative projects, including the strategically crucial Zojila tunnel, which is anticipated to become fully operational by December 2027. Once completed, the Zojila tunnel will provide reliable, year-round connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, overcoming the traditional severe winter blockades. Officials also discussed the highly anticipated Delhi-Katra Expressway, aimed at strengthening the network between the National Capital Region (NCR), Jammu, and Katra. The integration of modern tunnels along this corridor has already effectively reduced the road distance to Srinagar by approximately 45 kilometers, saving commuters more than an hour of travel time compared to the earlier 300-kilometer route. The visiting journalists also toured the operational Chenani-Nashri tunnel to understand its critical role in streamlining movement along the national highway.
Emphasizing future expansions, NHAI officials revealed that the proposed Katra-Kulgam road project is currently in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation phase. Once developed, this strategic corridor is expected to offer the shortest possible road connectivity to the Kashmir Valley from the Jammu side. Showcasing the massive scale of ongoing infrastructural investments in the Union Territory, Kumar informed the delegation that the NHAI has already successfully completed 22 projects spanning 382 kilometers at a cumulative cost of ₹14,819 crore. Additionally, 16 ambitious projects covering 320 kilometers are presently under active implementation, backed by an estimated investment of ₹22,277 crore. Later in the day, the media delegation also met with Neha Jalali, Director of PIB Jammu, who elaborated on the holistic socioeconomic developments taking place across Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370, specifically highlighting infrastructural upgrades, advancements in healthcare through the establishment of AIIMS Jammu, and the rural economic boost driven by the region’s Aroma Mission.
Published by True Roots Media Network