Srinagar, April 3: The Centre on Friday informed the Lok Sabha that the 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link has been completed, while more than 1,436 km of National Highways have been constructed in Jammu and Kashmir since 2018–19.
Replying to separate questions in the Lok Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the rail link is among the major infrastructure projects taken up under the National Rail Plan to improve connectivity and capacity.
The government said the completion of the rail project is expected to significantly improve passenger and freight movement in Jammu and Kashmir and provide a major boost to connectivity, tourism, trade and economic development.
Officials said railway infrastructure projects play a key role in socio-economic growth by enabling faster transportation of goods, reducing logistics costs and creating employment opportunities.
The Centre further informed that 431 railway infrastructure projects covering 35,966 km, with an estimated cost of Rs 6.75 lakh crore, are currently under implementation across the country.
The government, however, said timely completion of such projects depends on factors such as land acquisition, forest clearances, shifting of utilities and local conditions.
Meanwhile, the Centre informed the House that 1,436 km of National Highways have been constructed in Jammu and Kashmir since 2018–19.
According to official figures, 95 km of highways were built in 2018–19, 46 km in 2019–20, 234 km in 2020–21, 263 km in 2021–22, 217 km in 2022–23, 243 km in 2023–24, 214 km in 2024–25 and 124 km during 2025–26 till February.
The Centre also said expenditure on development and maintenance of National Highways in Jammu and Kashmir has increased substantially over the years, rising from Rs 2,932 crore in 2020–21 to Rs 6,817 crore in 2021–22, Rs 7,370 crore in 2022–23 and Rs 10,528 crore in 2023–24. Expenditure during 2024–25 stood at Rs 10,204 crore.
The government said it is responsible for development and maintenance of National Highways, while execution is carried out through various agencies.
On road safety, the Centre informed the Lok Sabha that accidents and fatalities on National Highways across the country have risen from 1.28 lakh accidents and 56,007 deaths in 2021 to 1.50 lakh accidents and 64,772 deaths in 2024.
It also said 67 highway stretches across the country have reported major deficiencies over the last three years and the current year. The government said action against defaulting contractors includes penalties, termination of contracts, debarment and blacklisting.
The Centre further informed that 85 National Highway projects, including those under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, have been delayed by more than three years because of land acquisition issues, forest clearances, shifting of utilities and financial constraints.
The government said several steps have been taken to reduce delays, including faster land acquisition through digital platforms, streamlined environmental clearances and regular monitoring of projects.
