With a 395-meter (2-lane) Maroog tunnel, at an estimated cost of Rs. 82 Crores, Gadkari shared on the social media platform 'X' (previously known as Twitter). The 645-meter segment, part of this larger project, not only reduces travel distance by 200 meters, thus minimising steep gradients but also offers an alternative route to bypass the problematic Sita Ram Passi landslide area. Additionally, it ensures the smooth flow of vehicles, bypassing the challenging Marog area gradients, he added. Gadkari also credited Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for this accomplishment, stating, Under the visionary leadership of Hon?ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, we remain committed to delivering exceptional highway infrastructure to Jammu and Kashmir. This transformative development not only boosts the region's economic growth but also enhances its reputation as a premier tourist destination. NHAI officials further elaborated on the project, explaining that Maroog is a critical section of the Ramban-Banihal stretch of the highway and has long been plagued by landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones, making it a challenging spot on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. They mentioned that work on tunnel furnishing, drainage, lighting, exhaust systems, and other related tasks was ongoing both inside and outside the tunnel. Officials confirmed the opening of the viaduct leading to New Tunnel NT-1, Maroog for traffic and the commencement of the expansion work on the other two lanes of the old alignment road on a fast-track basis. They added that traffic on the old alignment road had been completely halted to facilitate the conversion into a two-lane road, and work had begun on the additional 645-meter two-lane road stretch in Maroog. Traffic regulation officials reported no traffic congestion since the tunnel's opening in Maroog. Traffic was flowing smoothly through New Tunnel 1 at Maroog without interruptions. Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mussarat Islam, has been personally overseeing the daily progress of the construction works. In the past, Sitaram Passi had witnessed several fatal accidents due to landslides and shooting stones. Traffic officials and local volunteers, responsible for managing road accidents on the highway, expressed optimism that the construction of the viaduct, tunnel, and slope anchoring at Sitaram Passi, Maroog would significantly reduce road accidents, landslides, shooting stone incidents, and vehicle breakdowns along this stretch.