Centre Clears Upgrade Of Srinagar–Qazigund Alternative Highway
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Centre Clears Upgrade Of Srinagar–Qazigund Alternative Highway

The Union Government has set in motion plans to widen and modernise the 63-kilometre Srinagar–Qazigund road (NH-444), creating a strategic alternative to the often-choked NH-44 between south and central Kashmir. As part of the initiative the Centre has sanctioned Rs 0.95 billion for a new Qazigund bypass that will connect the route to the old Banihal–Qazigund highway; construction is due to begin once funds are released.

According to Chief Engineer (Roads & Buildings) Kashmir Sajad Naqeeb, a detailed project report for NH-444 will shortly be lodged with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Starting at Barzulla in Srinagar, the upgraded road will include an elevated corridor skirting Humhama Airport, Ompora and Chadoora before running through Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam to Qazigund. The new bypass will be the fourth on the alignment, joining works already under way at Pulwama (4.75 km), Shopian (8.95 km) and Kulgam (8.7 km).

Once complete, NH-444 is expected to deliver safer, smoother travel, particularly in winter when NH-44 is prone to closure, while giving a fillip to the local economy. Apple growers in Shopian—the ‘apple bowl of the Valley’—should gain from quicker access to market, and officials say the wider project will greatly strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s transport resilience.


The Union Government has set in motion plans to widen and modernise the 63-kilometre Srinagar–Qazigund road (NH-444), creating a strategic alternative to the often-choked NH-44 between south and central Kashmir. As part of the initiative the Centre has sanctioned Rs 0.95 billion for a new Qazigund bypass that will connect the route to the old Banihal–Qazigund highway; construction is due to begin once funds are released.According to Chief Engineer (Roads & Buildings) Kashmir Sajad Naqeeb, a detailed project report for NH-444 will shortly be lodged with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Starting at Barzulla in Srinagar, the upgraded road will include an elevated corridor skirting Humhama Airport, Ompora and Chadoora before running through Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam to Qazigund. The new bypass will be the fourth on the alignment, joining works already under way at Pulwama (4.75 km), Shopian (8.95 km) and Kulgam (8.7 km).Once complete, NH-444 is expected to deliver safer, smoother travel, particularly in winter when NH-44 is prone to closure, while giving a fillip to the local economy. Apple growers in Shopian—the ‘apple bowl of the Valley’—should gain from quicker access to market, and officials say the wider project will greatly strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s transport resilience.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Resources

Schindler named among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2026

Schindler has been named among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2026, a global ranking recognising companies for their workplace environments.Compiled by Forbes in partnership with Statista, the ranking is based on independent employee feedback, including whether employees would recommend their organisation to friends and family.The company said the recognition reflected its focus on creating a workplace where employees can develop their expertise and build careers. ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India needs an export-execution mindset: Vishesh Jain

Interview with Vishesh Jain, Founder & CEO, EximpleWhat gaps in India’s global trade ecosystem led you to build Eximple, and what problem did you see businesses struggling with most?Eximple came out of a problem that all three founders had seen from different choke points in the trade ecosystem. India has millions of MSMEs and manufacturers, and many of them can make products that are genuinely competitive on quality. Yet only a small fraction is able to build meaningful international businesses. In our experience, the gap is usually not manufacturing capability; it is the ability to exe..

Next Story
Building Material

Nuvoco reports 13.5% revenue growth in Q2 FY27

Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd. reported consolidated revenue of Rs 27.9 billion for Q2 FY27, up 13.5% year on year. Cement sales volume rose 9% to 4.7 million tonnes (MMT), while EBITDA increased 11% to Rs 4.11 billion.The company said it began its cement operations in 2014 with a 2.3 MMT per annum (MMTPA) operation at Nimbol. It now aims to reach 35 MMTPA of cement capacity by FY28, nearly 15 times its initial capacity. Its portfolio spans cement, ready-mix concrete and modern building materials.On sustainability and cost efficiency, Nuvoco partnered with CleanMax for a 46.4 MW wind-solar hybrid re..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code