Gadkari Announces Major Infrastructure Overhaul for J&K

21 Jan 2025 CW Team

The 11.98 km Sonamarg Tunnel, built at a cost of Rs 27.17 billion (approximately $327 million), will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh, bypassing avalanche-prone zones. This critical infrastructure will not only improve travel safety but also facilitate the smooth transport of agricultural goods between Srinagar and Leh, bolstering regional trade.

Gadkari also highlighted the Zojila Tunnel project, an ambitious 14 km tunnel with a Rs 68 billion ($819 million) budget that will reduce travel time between Srinagar and Leh by 3.5 hours and provide year-round access. Furthermore, ongoing efforts include major road corridors, such as the Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar Corridor, with an investment of Rs 160 billion ($1.93 billion), expected to cut travel time by five hours.

The Jammu-Chenani-Anantnag Corridor, developed at Rs 140 billion ($1.7 billion), will reduce travel distance by 68 km, while the Surankote-Shopian-Baramulla-Uri Corridor, estimated at Rs 100 billion ($1.2 billion), is expected to be completed by 2027. Gadkari also announced the creation of the Kathua-Basohli-Bhaderwah-Doda Corridor, a 250 km, Rs 34 billion ($411 million) project, and the Srinagar Ring Road, a 104 km road worth Rs 72 billion ($869 million), set for completion later this year.

These projects, part of an estimated Rs 500 billion ($6.05 billion) investment in J&K’s infrastructure, aim to drive the region’s tourism and economic growth. “The improved road network, along with ongoing ropeway projects, will make tourist destinations more accessible,” said Gadkari. He also emphasized the positive environmental impact of these developments, which will reduce fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a “Viksit Bharat.”

The government’s focus on infrastructure is expected to not only boost tourism but also create jobs, improve trade, and strengthen national security. “These projects exemplify resilience and innovation,” Gadkari said, highlighting the government’s commitment to overcoming geographical challenges and ensuring long-term peace and prosperity for J&K.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced a series of ambitious infrastructure projects aimed at transforming Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) into a hub for fast, sustainable mobility. Among the key developments is the inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel, part of an extensive network of 33 planned tunnels across the region. The 11.98 km Sonamarg Tunnel, built at a cost of Rs 27.17 billion (approximately $327 million), will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh, bypassing avalanche-prone zones. This critical infrastructure will not only improve travel safety but also facilitate the smooth transport of agricultural goods between Srinagar and Leh, bolstering regional trade. Gadkari also highlighted the Zojila Tunnel project, an ambitious 14 km tunnel with a Rs 68 billion ($819 million) budget that will reduce travel time between Srinagar and Leh by 3.5 hours and provide year-round access. Furthermore, ongoing efforts include major road corridors, such as the Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar Corridor, with an investment of Rs 160 billion ($1.93 billion), expected to cut travel time by five hours. The Jammu-Chenani-Anantnag Corridor, developed at Rs 140 billion ($1.7 billion), will reduce travel distance by 68 km, while the Surankote-Shopian-Baramulla-Uri Corridor, estimated at Rs 100 billion ($1.2 billion), is expected to be completed by 2027. Gadkari also announced the creation of the Kathua-Basohli-Bhaderwah-Doda Corridor, a 250 km, Rs 34 billion ($411 million) project, and the Srinagar Ring Road, a 104 km road worth Rs 72 billion ($869 million), set for completion later this year. These projects, part of an estimated Rs 500 billion ($6.05 billion) investment in J&K’s infrastructure, aim to drive the region’s tourism and economic growth. “The improved road network, along with ongoing ropeway projects, will make tourist destinations more accessible,” said Gadkari. He also emphasized the positive environmental impact of these developments, which will reduce fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a “Viksit Bharat.” The government’s focus on infrastructure is expected to not only boost tourism but also create jobs, improve trade, and strengthen national security. “These projects exemplify resilience and innovation,” Gadkari said, highlighting the government’s commitment to overcoming geographical challenges and ensuring long-term peace and prosperity for J&K.

Real Estate

07 Jul 2026

Pecan Realty Completes Rs 1.5 Billion Transactions

Pecan Realty has recently completed four institutional transactions worth over Rs 1.5 billion over the past two years, strengthening its position as an execution-led real estate platform. The deals include resolution-led acquisitions, structured finance transactions and capital partnerships across its development portfolio.The transactions covered acquisitions through the National Company Law Tribunal process and helped provide repayment or exits to both private and public sector lenders. The company said the deals demonstrate its ability to resolve complex project situations, work with instit..

Real Estate

07 Jul 2026

SNN Estates Expands North Bengaluru Housing Project

SNN Estates has announced an expansion of its SNN Estates Felicity residential project in North Bengaluru following strong buyer demand, with 75 per cent of the first-phase inventory sold within three days of launch.The developer will add 76 apartments in the new phase, taking the project's estimated revenue potential to around Rs 1,000 crore upon completion of Phase 2.Spread across 6.5 acres in Rachenahalli, near Manyata Tech Park, the project comprises 604 apartments in 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 BHK configurations. The development includes a 50,000-sq-ft clubhouse with amenities such as sports co..

Infrastructure Urban

07 Jul 2026

SCG Drives ASEAN Industrial Transformation Strategy

SCG is strengthening its focus on ASEAN as a key growth region by advancing industrial transformation, enhancing competitiveness and building resilient regional value chains. Thammasak Sethaudom, President and Chief Executive Officer, SCG, highlighted the need for industries to continuously develop capabilities, strengthen resilience and deepen regional cooperation to achieve sustainable long-term growth.SCG views ASEAN as an important growth engine alongside China, supported by favourable demographics, trade connectivity and investment flows. With ASEAN’s GDP projected to grow by around 4.7..