SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday reviewed the progress of major highway, tunnel, flyover, bridge and ring road projects being executed across Jammu and Kashmir, with 44 works involving an estimated ₹39,711 crore currently under execution.
The review covered the Jammu and Kashmir Infrastructure and Connectivity Development Programme being implemented through the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways and 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 these, 44 projects worth ₹39,711 crore are under execution, while 11 sanctioned projects involving ₹9,187 crore are awaiting commencement. Another 32 projects valued at ₹70,839 crore are at the detailed project report (DPR) or in-principle stage.
Dulloo reviewed the physical progress and likely completion dates of individual projects and directed divisional and district administrations to coordinate closely with executing agencies to address land, statutory and other field-level issues affecting implementation.
He called for proactive resolution of bottlenecks so that approved timelines are maintained. He also directed agencies to maintain road stretches currently being used by commuters while construction is underway, with particular attention to damaged surfaces and deficiencies contributing to traffic congestion and inconvenience.
Among the NHAI projects reviewed was the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway (NE-5), comprising five packages covering around 142 km at a total project cost of ₹11,546 crore. The Raya Morh-Samba-Kunjwani/Jammu Airport package has recorded more than 96 per cent physical progress, while the Hiranagar package has crossed 91 per cent.
The Srinagar Ring Road, covering around 78.8 km across Phases I, II and IIA at a combined cost of ₹4,786 crore, was also reviewed. The works are progressing according to revised schedules.
The review also covered the Ramban-Banihal tunnel packages, Jammu Ring Road, Chenani-Patnitop connectivity and other NHAI projects.
Projects being executed by Project Beacon and SAMPARK were reviewed with particular focus on all-weather connectivity to remote and strategically important areas. The NH-501 Khanabal-Pahalgam-Chandanwari corridor, covering approximately 141 km at a sanctioned cost of ₹4,030.57 crore, was among the projects discussed. The alignment has been finalised up to the Pahalgam bypass, while environmental assessment and related formalities are under process.
The Chief Secretary was also apprised of major tunnel projects sanctioned by BRO during 2025-26, including the Pir Ki Gali Tunnel on NH-701A and Sadhna Tunnel, involving a combined investment of around ₹7,160 crore. The Machil, Gurez and Keran tunnels, approved in principle under the OTCA budget, are presently at the consultant-engagement stage.
Major NHIDCL works, including the Zojila Tunnel, Khellani Tunnel, Khellani-Khanabal packages and Jammu-Akhnoor packages, were also reviewed. These projects have recorded an average quarterly physical progress gain of 2.18 per cent.
The Public Works (R&B) Department’s urban connectivity projects, including the Parimpora-Shalteng Flyover, vehicle underpasses at Moominabad and Nowgam, and rehabilitation of the old Padshahi Bagh and Lasjan bridges, were also taken up for review.
The meeting was further informed that road safety works along the 55.05-km Pir Panjal stretch of NH-144 have been completed, achieving 100 per cent physical progress against a sanctioned cost of ₹18 crore.
Of the 32 projects at DPR or in-principle stage, NHAI accounts for projects worth ₹55,122 crore. The Chief Secretary directed the concerned agencies to complete DPR preparation, technical scrutiny, land-related requirements and statutory clearances within defined timelines to facilitate early sanction and inclusion in upcoming work plans under various Government of India programmes.
The review was attended by ACS, PWD Anil Kumar Singh, Commissioner Secretary Forests, Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, Deputy Commissioners, senior officers of BRO, NHAI, NHIDCL and PWD, and representatives of other concerned departments and agencies.
