The banihal section of NH 44 is being constructed

A section of the Jammu to Udhampur-Ramban-Banihal to Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) being built to provide all-weather connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar was inspected by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha, Union Minister of State General (Dr)V.K. Singh (Retd), and Union Minister of State Shri Jitendra Singh. At a cost of 350 million, three corridors are being developed to facilitate traffic between Jammu and Srinagar. The part from Srinagar to Banihal is included in this first corridor, which runs from Jammu to Udhampur-Ramban-Banihal and then on to Srinagar. The 250 km long, four-lane road is being constructed for $160,000,000,000. Out of this, a 210-kilometre road with 4 lanes has been constructed, including 10 21.5 km long tunnels. To prevent potential landslides in this area, the design of this road's 4-laning was done on the basis of geo-technical and geological analysis. To ensure that the route between Jammu and Srinagar is secure and easy to travel, crash barriers and other safety measures have also been installed. With the completion of this road, Jammu and Srinagar would be connected under all weather conditions. From Srinagar to Jammu, it will take only 4-5 hours to travel instead of 9-10. By June 2024, a 40 km (4-lane) carriageway between Ramban and Banihal would be finished, easing traffic for Srinagar commuters.