Lal Chowk–Parimpora Flyover among 19 new National Highway Projects sanctioned in J&K
Srinagar, Feb 7: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday announced the sanctioning of 19 new National Highway (NH) projects with an estimated outlay of Rs 10,637 crore for the financial year 2025–26, aimed at strengthening road connectivity and easing traffic congestion across the Union Territory.
The sanctioned projects include key infrastructure works such as the Pir Ki Gali Tunnel, Sadhna Tunnel, the Lal Chowk–Parimpora Flyover and the Magam Flyover, which are expected to significantly improve mobility and decongest major urban centres, particularly in Srinagar. Sharing details of rural road development, the government said that under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), as many as 2,132 habitations were connected through 19,518 kilometres of roads during 2024–25, leading to substantial improvement in all-weather rural connectivity.
The government further informed that 2,500 unconnected rural habitations have been sanctioned under Phase-IV of PMGSY. Under Phase-I, 316 road projects covering a length of 1,781 kilometres, with an estimated cost of Rs 4,224.37 crore, have been approved by the Government of India and are expected to connect 429 habitations. “These initiatives are aimed at fulfilling the objective of providing road connectivity to every village in the Union Territory,” the government said.
Under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), 83 projects have been completed since 2020–21 at a total expenditure of Rs 1,376 crore, including 22 projects completed during 2024–25, it added. The government also said that 2,387 kilometres of roads were completed under NABARD-approved projects between 2020–21 and 2024–25 to further strengthen rural connectivity. During the same period, a total of 320 bridges were completed, improving access across rivers and difficult terrain.
To ensure uninterrupted connectivity during harsh winters, around 1,000 machines have been deployed across various agencies for snow clearance, the government said.
It also noted that Kashmir has now been connected with the rest of the country through railways, marking a new phase of development, economic growth and improved regional integration.
(KNS)
