Jammu & Kashmir: NHAI Takes Up Highway And Chattergala Tunnel Projects, Promising All-Weather Access And Economic Growth

In line with efforts to improve connectivity in regions of Jammu and Kashmir, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will begin work on the Rs 4,000 crore Chattergala tunnel and the construction of national highway from Lakhanpur to Basohli-Bani to Bhaderwah Doda.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced this during a review meeting, which was also attended by Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Jitendra Singh.

This new route will provide an alternative connection to the hilly towns in the Jammu region. Union Minister Jitendra Singh mentioned, “the proposal for the Chattergala tunnel was initiated about six years ago. However, due to a lack of funds, the project could not proceed at that time.”

Once completed, the tunnel will offer all-weather connectivity between the two distant regions, passing through the tourist spots of Basohli and Bani.

This will boost business, employment, and revenue generation, and reduce travel time from Doda in Jammu and Kashmir to Lakhanpur on the Punjab border to four hours.

The Chattergala tunnel, which is 6.8 km long, has already undergone a feasibility survey conducted by the Border Road Organisation (BRO).

Construction will start from one end and proceed to the tunnel site, where the historic Chhatergala tunnel will also be built.

Additionally, regarding the under construction Delhi-Katra express corridor, Singh added, “the express corridor had been approved after a lot efforts that began way back in 2015 and there were initial delays because Punjab had also demanded a similar express corridor for Amritsar highway between Delhi and Amritsar.”

Finally, after arriving at a compromise to have an express corridor between Delhi and Katra with a stopover at Amritsar and Kathua the project was finalised.

The union minister said that the express corridor is now in its final phase of completion and the demand for underpasses at locations such as Hatli, Rajbagh, Chann Arorian, Chapper, and Kootah had been accepted for the convenience of the local population.