'Golden Arc' road | BRO achieves breakthrough of Sungal tunnel on Akhnoor-Poonch road

Rajouri, May 14:  Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Tuesday achieved a milestone after the breakthrough of a much important Sungal tunnel was achieved near Kali Dhar, between Bhambla and Akhnoor on the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch National Highway.

The tunnel, spanning an impressive 2790 meters on National Highway-144A is a crucial link, connecting Akhnoor and Poonch.

The work for the up-gradation of this two-lane highway with paved shoulders specifications is being executed by BRO.

“Akhnoor-Poonch road - the “Golden Arc” road is a very old and highly strategic 200 km stretch which connects South Kashmir and Jammu region, to the west of Jammu and Kashmir. It connects important border districts of Jammu (Akhnoor), Rajouri and Poonch. There are four major tunnels in this stretch viz., Kandi tunnel, Sungal tunnel, Nowshera tunnel and Bhimber Gali tunnel,” the defence spokesperson said.

“The construction of a pivotal infrastructure project National Highway-144A, connecting Akhnoor to Poonch, reached a significant milestone today as the breakthrough ceremony for the Sungal Tunnel took place. Director General Border Roads (DGBR) Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan reviewed the breakthrough ceremony, which signifies a breakthrough in the construction activity of the tunnel,” he said.

“The breakthrough underscores the importance of this project signifying a major step forward in enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating smoother transportation along the National Highway,” a defence spokesperson said.

He informed that this year on January 28, 2024 breakthrough of the Nowshera tunnel was achieved, signifying the efforts of BRO towards providing connectivity across the areas of Rajouri and Poonch. “The progress of the National Highway has taken place and the project is expected to be completed by 2026,” he added.

During his address, DG BRO Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan mentioned that BRO was spearheading crucial road projects to connect remote areas with major centres in the Jammu-Poonch region.

“The Jammu-Poonch link, advancing rapidly, is on track for completion in the next few years,” he said.

On being asked about defence infrastructure along the LoC, DG said that the development of defence infrastructure was a continuous process and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was committed to strengthening defence infrastructure by building and upgrading strategic roads all along the IB, LoC and LAC.

“BRO and Project Sampark is steadfast in its commitment to ‘Create, Connect, Care’ and save the lives of the citizens of its area of responsibility. It believes in the adage “roads build nation” and has rededicated itself to the construction of border roads infrastructures to spur socio-economic progress,” Lt Gen Srinivasan said.