Chief Secretary directs swift resolution of bottlenecks, time-bound completion and better road conditions
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 02: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday reviewed the progress of the Jammu & Kashmir Infrastructure and Connectivity Development Programme, covering a portfolio of National Highways, tunnels, flyovers, viaducts, bridges, ring roads and other strategic connectivity projects being executed across Jammu & Kashmir by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and Public Works (R&B) Department.
The overall portfolio comprises 87 works with an estimated value of ₹1,19,736 crore, of which 44 works worth ₹39,711 crore are currently under execution. Another 11 sanctioned projects involving ₹9,187 crore are awaiting commencement, while 32 projects worth ₹70,839 crore are at the Detailed Project Report (DPR) or in-principle stage.
During the comprehensive review, Dulloo sought detailed updates on the physical progress and likely completion dates of individual highway and tunnel projects.
He directed Divisional and District Administrations to maintain close coordination with executing agencies for the swift resolution of bottlenecks and ensure that projects maintain satisfactory pace of work.
The Chief Secretary stressed that field-level issues affecting execution should be identified and resolved proactively so that approved timelines are adhered to and the benefits of major connectivity investments reach the public at the earliest.
He also laid particular emphasis on maintaining road surfaces on highways under construction, directing concerned agencies to ensure that stretches presently being used by commuters remain motorable and safe.
He called for immediate attention to damaged road surfaces and other deficiencies contributing to traffic congestion and inconvenience to commuters.
Dulloo observed that the massive investment in connectivity would facilitate faster, safer and more reliable movement of people and goods, while improving access to tourism and economically important areas and contributing to sustainable development and economic upliftment.
At the outset, ACS, PWD, Anil Kumar Singh, gave an overview of major connectivity projects being executed through BRO, NHAI, NHIDCL and PWD across Jammu & Kashmir.
He stated that, besides projects under execution, the agencies had identified several additional roads, tunnels and flyovers with the potential to significantly ease travel and make connectivity more reliable, particularly in view of the Union Territory’s challenging topography.
NHAI projects reviewed
The meeting reviewed major NHAI projects, including the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway (NE-5), Ramban-Banihal tunnel packages, Jammu Ring Road, Chenani-Patnitop connectivity and Srinagar Ring Road.
The five packages of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway reviewed during the meeting cover around 142 km at a total project cost of ₹11,546 crore.
Several packages have achieved substantial physical progress, with the Raya Morh-Samba-Kunjwani/Jammu Airport package recording more than 96 per cent progress, while the Hiranagar package has crossed 91 per cent.
The Srinagar Ring Road, comprising Phases I, II and IIA, covers around 78.8 km at a combined cost of ₹4,786 crore, with work progressing according to revised schedules.
BRO, SAMPARK and strategic tunnels
The extensive portfolio of Project Beacon and SAMPARK was also reviewed, with emphasis on strengthening all-weather connectivity to strategically important and remote areas.
The NH-501 Khanabal-Pahalgam-Chandanwari corridor, covering approximately 141 km at a sanctioned cost of ₹4,030.57 crore, was among the major projects reviewed.
The alignment has been finalized up to the Pahalgam bypass, while further action relating to environmental assessment and other formalities is underway.
The meeting was also informed that major tunnel projects sanctioned by BRO during 2025-26 include the Pir Ki Gali Tunnel on NH-701A and Sadhna Tunnel, together involving an investment of around ₹7,160 crore.
Machil, Gurez and Keran tunnels, approved in principle under the OTCA budget, were also reviewed and are presently at the consultant-engagement stage.
NHIDCL, urban connectivity projects reviewed
Major NHIDCL projects reviewed included the Zojila Tunnel, Khellani Tunnel, Khellani-Khanabal packages and Jammu-Akhnoor packages.
The projects reviewed have maintained positive physical progress, recording an average quarterly physical progress gain of 2.18 per cent.
Major urban connectivity projects of the Public Works (R&B) Department were also reviewed, including the Parimpora-Shalteng Flyover, vehicle underpasses at Moominabad and Nowgam, and rehabilitation of the old Padshahi Bagh and Lasjan bridges.
The meeting was also informed about the completion of NH-144 road safety works along the 55.05-km Pir Panjal stretch, achieving 100 per cent physical progress against a sanctioned cost of ₹18 crore.
₹70,839 Cr project pipeline
The review noted that 32 projects worth ₹70,839 crore are currently at the DPR or in-principle stage across the implementing agencies.
NHAI alone accounts for projects worth ₹55,122 crore at the DPR stage.
The Chief Secretary directed the concerned agencies to complete DPR preparation, technical scrutiny, land-related requirements and statutory clearances in a time-bound manner so that eligible projects can be positioned for early sanction and inclusion in upcoming work plans under various Government of India programmes.
He called for continued coordination among the UT Administration, district authorities and executing agencies to ensure that the ongoing connectivity transformation is delivered efficiently, with timely completion, improved road conditions, enhanced safety and maximum public benefit.
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