SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting regarding progress on various National Highway projects being executed across J&K.
Those who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary, APD; Commissioner Secretary, Forests; Secretary, PWD; CE, R&B (Central Kashmir); CE, R&B (Jammu);CE, Beacon; PD, NHAI; Representatives from NHIDCL and other concerned officers while Deputy Commissioners participated in the meeting virtually.
The Chief Secretary impressed upon the DCs to look into the land acquisition and mining issues to ensure that these do not hinder the pace of work anywhere. He enjoined upon the concerned agencies to move their resources in terms of machinery and manpower to ensure that all projects progress at a suitable pace to see their deadlines are met without fail.
The meeting highlighted significant advancements in critical infrastructure projects managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under Project Sampark and Beacon and the Public Works Department (PWD) Kashmir.
Key NHAI projects reviewed in the meeting included the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway and Jammu Ring Road tunnels, with the latter slated for completion by March 31, 2026. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway projects, including the Marog-Digdol tunnel, Digdol-Khuni Nallah section and Makarkot-Sherbibi viaducts, were also assessed.
Besides, the progress on Srinagar Ring Road (Phase-I) was said to be physically completed by 71.50% with an anticipated completion by November 30, 2025. While the work on its Phase-II from Sumbal to Wayul is also apace, which is likely to see completion by December 2026.
The recently awarded projects comprising Srinagar Ring Road Phase-IIA from Manigam to Pandach, Service Road for the Domel-Udhampur section of NH-44, were said to be taken up for execution soon. Under the projects executed by NHIDCL, various packages of the Jammu-Akhnoor Road (NH-144A) are likely to be completed by December 2025 in all respects.
The meeting also discussed the progress on Zojila Tunnel (NH-1 – 30.826 km) and it was informed that 63.87% of the work has been completed, the rest of the project is expected to be completed by February 2028.
Projects of BRO under Project Sampark that came under review in the meeting included widening of Akhnoor-Poonch (NH-144A) highway re-sectioned into 8 packages with end date of completion set as January 2026.
Similarly, the reviewed BRO projects under Beacon included different sections of NH-1 Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri Road, expected to be completed by November 2026.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed PWD projects including Pulwama Bypass, Kulgam Bypass, Shopian Bypass on NH and Service Road along NH-44 (Srinagar Bypass).
The meeting also assessed progress on action plan for 19 new projects with a total length of 296 km, to be executed with an estimated cost of Rs 10,637 crore. The notable projects included 4-lane flyover from Lal Chowk to Parimpora Junction, construction of 4-lane Pantha Chowk Flyover on NH-44, construction of 4-lane Magam Flyover on NH-701A, Panjtarni Tunnel, construction of Pir Ki Gali tunnel and construction of Sadhna tunnel etc.
