JAMMU, September 24, 2026 – In a major infrastructure development that promises to transform regional connectivity, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) has approved the construction of a new, highly anticipated highway corridor between Jammu and Srinagar. Set to become the third alternate surface link connecting the two capital cities—alongside National Highway-44 and the Mughal Road—this ambitious project will significantly reduce the travel distance by approximately 50 kilometers. By bypassing the heavily congested Udhampur-Ramban-Banihal stretch, the fresh alignment will bring the total distance down to just under 200 kilometers. More importantly, the all-weather highway is expected to drastically cut the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar to a mere three to three-and-a-half hours, offering a seamless and rapid transit experience for daily commuters, freight transporters, and tourists alike.
Considered a strategic extension of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, the new four-lane corridor will pass through Katra, Reasi, Mahore, Gulabgarh, Nandimarg, and Kulgam before rejoining the main route toward Srinagar. According to highly placed official sources, MORTH has already given the green nod to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to initiate the tender process for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR). Preliminary feasibility studies, traffic surveys, and alignment engineering designs were actively conducted earlier this summer. To traverse the challenging mountainous terrain, the project relies heavily on advanced engineering, with nearly 50 kilometers of the route designated for vital bridges, flyovers, and modern tunnels. Notably, the longest tunnel on this route, spanning an estimated seven to eight kilometers, will be constructed straight through the Pir Panjal Ranges between the Gulabgarh, Nandimarg, and Kulgam sections, ensuring year-round, snow-free connectivity.
Beyond reducing travel times and alleviating the heavy traffic volume on the existing NH-44, this new highway is being prioritized by the Union Government for its strategic defense significance, providing a crucial logistical link to the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch via Pouni, Sunderbani, Kalakote, and Budhal. Furthermore, it promises to be a massive economic game-changer for the remote and geographically isolated populations of Reasi, Mahore, and Gool-Gulabgarh. For decades, residents of these areas have had to endure long, circuitous journeys via Jammu or the Ramban stretch to reach the Kashmir Valley, especially during winter when higher passes like Daggan Top frequently remain closed. Once operational, the new corridor will allow locals from Mahore to reach Srinagar in under two hours. With its robust infrastructure and significantly shorter route, transportation experts estimate that over 60 percent of future traffic between Jammu and Srinagar will eventually be diverted to this fast-track highway, cementing its role as the region’s primary transit artery.
Published by True Roots Media Network