Union Cabinet Approves Key Tunnel Projects In Jammu And Kashmir

07 Aug 2026 CW Team

The Union Cabinet approved construction of the Singhpora-Vailoo and Sudhmahadev-Dranga tunnels and their approach roads in Jammu and Kashmir at an estimated cost of Rs 98 billion (Rs 98 bn). The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister and the projects will be fully funded by the Central Government, officials said. The works are slated for completion in five years.

The Sudhmahadev-Dranga tunnel lies on the Chenani-Sudhmahadev-Goha-Doda-Khellani National Highway while the Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel forms part of the Kishtwar-Anantnag highway. The Singhpora-Vailoo 39-km stretch will include 10-km unidirectional twin-tube tunnels and the 13-km Sudhmahadev-Dranga stretch will include eight-km twin-tube tunnels. The tunnels are designed to bypass difficult sections of the highways and to keep them operational throughout the year despite snowfall in higher reaches.

The Cabinet said the projects will strengthen connectivity between the Jammu and Kashmir divisions and improve the road network in Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar districts. Officials added that the approach roads for both tunnels have also been approved and that the Chenani-Doda and Kishtwar-Anantnag highways will provide alternate links between Jammu and the valley. With tourism resuming, the improved links will support pilgrim and tourist flows to Sudhmahadev and Mantalai and boost economic activity in the Chenab Valley.

Strategically, the new highways will serve defence needs by offering alternate routes to the Kashmir Valley from the Jammu region, officials said. At present the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remains the only reliable all-weather road link between the divisions while the Rajouri-Poonch-Shopian Mughal road is a fair-weather route. Rail connectivity has improved since Srinagar was linked by train from Jammu and two Vande Bharat trains are running between the divisions.

Real Estate

07 Aug 2026

BXB Estates Sets AED 110 Million Jumeirah Golf Estates Record

BXB Estates has completed an AED 110 million residential transaction at Jumeirah Golf Estates, setting a new sales record for the prestigious Dubai residential community.Negotiated by Alfie Tabrez, Managing Partner of BXB Estates, the deal surpassed the previous record of AED 58 million for a completed ready villa in the development.The six-bedroom residence offers 21,714 sq ft of built-up space on a 15,873-sq-ft plot. It features nine bathrooms, four living lounges, a home office, bar lounge, private cinema and rooftop terrace.The property also includes a dedicated wellness area comprising a ..

SECR Floats Rs 6,019 Mn EPC Tender For Paradol Nagpur Link

South East Central Railway (SECR) has invited bids for an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract to build a new broad gauge single line between Paradol Takeoff Point and Nagpur Road Station in Chhattisgarh. The contract carries an estimated cost of Rs 6,019.0 mn and requires an earnest money deposit of Rs 120.4 mn. The work is framed as an EPC assignment intended to strengthen regional rail infrastructure. The tender, issued under number CAO-C-BSP-26-27-15, specifies a completion period of 730 days and a bid validity of 180 days. Two pre-bid meetings are scheduled for 24 Augu..

Indian Railways Reports Nine Per Cent Rise In July Freight Loading

Indian Railways handled 141.3 million tonnes (141.3 mn t) of freight in July, marking a rise of nine per cent year on year. Freight loading maintained a positive trajectory across the network compared with the same month last year. Passenger traffic also increased in July, contributing to higher overall network utilisation. The July outcome continued a pattern of steady monthly gains, reflecting gradual improvement in industrial and logistics activity. The growth in freight volumes reflected stronger demand across multiple sectors and improvements in logistics and train turnarounds. Enhanced r..