Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 1: The ongoing four-laning of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway is expected to be completed by June 2027, significantly reducing travel time between the two cities from the current 8–9 hours to nearly five hours.
Replying to a query by BJP member Sat Pal Sharma in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said that the 244-km-long Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) is being upgraded to a four-lane configuration.
He informed that around 230 km of the highway has already been widened, covering key stretches including Jammu–Ramban and Banihal–Srinagar. This completed portion includes 20 tunnels with a total length of 21 km and nine bypasses spanning 63 km.
Work on the remaining 14-km stretch between Ramban and Banihal, being executed in three packages, is currently underway and is slated for completion by June 2027.
The minister noted that the project has already led to a substantial reduction in both travel time and logistics costs. The overall distance between Jammu and Srinagar has been brought down from approximately 295 km to 244 km, resulting in improved fuel efficiency and enhanced transport connectivity.
Highlighting safety measures, Gadkari said that highway development is being carried out in accordance with Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards. Comprehensive road safety protocols, including regular safety audits, installation of traffic signage, crash barriers, road markings, and proper illumination at vulnerable points, are being implemented.
He added that continuous monitoring through Network Survey Vehicle (NSV) assessments and field inspections is being carried out to maintain road quality. Timely maintenance, incident management systems, and coordination with local authorities are also being ensured to provide safe, reliable, and all-weather connectivity along the crucial corridor. |
