Nitin Gadkari Highlights Infra Projects in J&K for Viksit Bharat
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Nitin Gadkari Highlights Infra Projects in J&K for Viksit Bharat

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasised the critical role of infrastructure development in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat). Addressing a rally after the inauguration of the Sonamarg tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir, Gadkari stated that robust transport and communication systems are essential to boost industries, businesses, and tourism. 

The Sonamarg tunnel, formerly known as the Z-Morh tunnel, now provides all-weather connectivity to the tourist town, overcoming challenges that left areas inaccessible for months during heavy snowfall. Gadkari also highlighted progress on the 14-km Zojila tunnel, which will connect Srinagar to Leh, cutting travel time by 3.5 hours. This project, costing Rs 68 billion, has saved Rs 50 billion from the originally estimated Rs 120 billion. 

The minister announced several major infrastructure projects in J&K, including four key corridors costing Rs 500 billion. 

1. Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar Corridor (Rs 160 billion): A 250-km stretch with 33 tunnels, reducing travel distance by 70 km and saving five hours. Completion is expected by December 2025. 

2. Jammu-Chenani-Anantnag Corridor (Rs 140 billion): Spanning 202 km with five tunnels, this project will shorten distances by 68 km and is set to finish by December 2025. 
3. Surankote-Shopian-Baramulla-Uri Corridor (Rs 100 billion): A 303-km route targeted for completion by 2027. 

4. Jammu-Akhnoor-Surankote-Poonch Corridor (Rs 50 billion): A 203-km project currently in the DPR stage. 

Additionally, a 250-km Kathua-Basohli-Bhaderwah-Doda corridor costing Rs 34 billion will provide direct connectivity from Kathua to Srinagar, bypassing Jammu. 

The Srinagar ring road project, a 104-km four-lane highway costing Rs 72 billion, will be completed by the end of the year, allowing travelers to bypass Srinagar en route to Gurez, Baramulla, or Ladakh. 

Gadkari also noted the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra greenfield expressway, a Rs 410 billion, 670-km project that will reduce travel time between Delhi and Srinagar to 8-8.5 hours upon completion in 1.5 years. 

Further plans include five ropeway projects in J&K, such as the Shankaracharya ropeway in Srinagar and the Baltal-Amarnath and Sonamarg-Thajiwas ropeways. 

Gadkari lauded engineers and contractors for their work in challenging conditions and reiterated the government’s commitment to bridging distances—both physical and emotional—between J&K and the rest of India. 

(ET)                

Your next big infra connection is waiting at RAHSTA 2025 – Asia’s Biggest Roads & Highways Expo, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Don’t miss out!

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasised the critical role of infrastructure development in achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat). Addressing a rally after the inauguration of the Sonamarg tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir, Gadkari stated that robust transport and communication systems are essential to boost industries, businesses, and tourism. The Sonamarg tunnel, formerly known as the Z-Morh tunnel, now provides all-weather connectivity to the tourist town, overcoming challenges that left areas inaccessible for months during heavy snowfall. Gadkari also highlighted progress on the 14-km Zojila tunnel, which will connect Srinagar to Leh, cutting travel time by 3.5 hours. This project, costing Rs 68 billion, has saved Rs 50 billion from the originally estimated Rs 120 billion. The minister announced several major infrastructure projects in J&K, including four key corridors costing Rs 500 billion. 1. Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar Corridor (Rs 160 billion): A 250-km stretch with 33 tunnels, reducing travel distance by 70 km and saving five hours. Completion is expected by December 2025. 2. Jammu-Chenani-Anantnag Corridor (Rs 140 billion): Spanning 202 km with five tunnels, this project will shorten distances by 68 km and is set to finish by December 2025. 3. Surankote-Shopian-Baramulla-Uri Corridor (Rs 100 billion): A 303-km route targeted for completion by 2027. 4. Jammu-Akhnoor-Surankote-Poonch Corridor (Rs 50 billion): A 203-km project currently in the DPR stage. Additionally, a 250-km Kathua-Basohli-Bhaderwah-Doda corridor costing Rs 34 billion will provide direct connectivity from Kathua to Srinagar, bypassing Jammu. The Srinagar ring road project, a 104-km four-lane highway costing Rs 72 billion, will be completed by the end of the year, allowing travelers to bypass Srinagar en route to Gurez, Baramulla, or Ladakh. Gadkari also noted the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra greenfield expressway, a Rs 410 billion, 670-km project that will reduce travel time between Delhi and Srinagar to 8-8.5 hours upon completion in 1.5 years. Further plans include five ropeway projects in J&K, such as the Shankaracharya ropeway in Srinagar and the Baltal-Amarnath and Sonamarg-Thajiwas ropeways. Gadkari lauded engineers and contractors for their work in challenging conditions and reiterated the government’s commitment to bridging distances—both physical and emotional—between J&K and the rest of India. (ET)                

Next Story
Real Estate

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?