Srinagar, June 23: Jammu and Kashmir is set to witness a significant transformation in road infrastructure, with the Centre approving 19 key connectivity projects worth ₹10,637 crore. Among these are the much-anticipated Mughal Road and Karnah Valley tunnel projects.
According to an official communiqué from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the approved works include two major tunnels—Pir Ki Gali (9 km) and Sadhna (7 km)—at a combined cost of ₹7,160 crore. These tunnels will provide all-weather connectivity: Pir Ki Gali will connect the Kashmir Valley with Pir Panjal, while the Sadhna tunnel will improve access to the strategically located Karnah Valley near the Line of Control (LoC).
The Ministry has also sanctioned three flyovers, four bridges, and ten additional road development projects. Notable flyovers include the ₹105 crore four-lane Pantha Chowk flyover, the ₹445 crore Magam flyover on the Narbal-Gulmarg highway, and a ₹700 crore four-lane flyover connecting Lal Chowk to Parimpora.
Additionally, the construction and upgrading of the Trehgam–Chamkot road, part of NH-701, has been cleared with an outlay of ₹966 crore.
Responsibility for implementing the Pir Ki Gali and Sadhna tunnel projects will shift from the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), under the Ministry of Defence, with consultations scheduled between MoRTH and the Defence Ministry.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also acknowledged the development, stating that his government secured the approval for these transformative projects. In a social media post, he thanked the Prime Minister and Union Minister for their consistent backing, saying the ₹10,600 crore initiative marks a milestone in J&K’s journey toward better connectivity and development.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for their support. In a post on X, he emphasized that these critical infrastructure initiatives will improve connectivity, facilitate troop mobility, and enhance economic activity across the Union Territory. “Construction of tunnels will reduce travel time, ensure all-weather connectivity, and spur economic growth,” he noted.
With inputs from the KNO
