SRINAGAR | June 24, 2025— Connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir: In a major infrastructure push, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on June 23, 2025, approved 19 critical road and tunnel projects worth ₹10,637 crore for connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir. These initiatives aim to build 296 km of roads and tunnels, significantly reducing travel time and ensuring all-weather connectivity to remote and strategic areas—especially those along the Line of Control (LoC).
Tunnels to Break Winter Isolation
Leading the list are the Pir Ki Gali and Sadhna tunnels game-changing projects designed to end the region’s seasonal isolation. The government will invest ₹3,830 crore in the Pir Ki Gali tunnel on NH-701A. Situated at an altitude of 11,450 feet on the Mughal Road, this tunnel will connect Shopian in the Kashmir Valley with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu. Heavy snowfall currently shuts down this key route for nearly half the year.
Likewise, the Sadhna tunnel, pegged at ₹3,330 crore, will be constructed on NH-701 along the Kupwara-Karnah route in North Kashmir. Snowfall reaching 15 feet routinely cuts off this area during winter. Once completed, both tunnels will ensure year-round access to far-flung border districts, bolstering civilian mobility and strategic preparedness.
Road Upgrades to Ease Traffic and Enhance Safety
Beyond tunnels, the Ministry greenlit several important road projects aimed at improving traffic flow and safety:
- Zaznar-Shopian section of NH-701A – ₹852 crore
- Trehgam-Chamkote section of NH-701 – ₹966 crore
- Four-lane flyover from Lal Chowk to Parimpora, Srinagar – ₹700 crore
- Four-lane flyover at Magam – ₹445 crore
- Qazigund Bypass – ₹95 crore
- Two-lane bridge over the Rambiara River, Shopian (NH-444) – ₹71 crore
Collectively, these projects are set to decongest urban areas, shorten commutes, and improve road safety across the region.
Political Responses and Strategic Implications
The announcement quickly drew political attention. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the decision, crediting his administration’s consistent advocacy for the projects. Meanwhile, PDP leaders emphasized that the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had first proposed the Mughal Road tunnel and initiated its Detailed Project Report. The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), for its part, pointed to Engineer Rashid’s recent intervention in Parliament as a catalyst for the approval.
At the same time, the projects carry strategic weight. The Delimitation Commission’s redrawing of constituencies has made connectivity across the Pir Panjal range even more crucial. The Mughal Road’s annual closure has long disrupted political engagement and hindered election logistics, making these infrastructure projects a turning point for governance and representation.
Connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir as a Catalyst for Change
With these 19 projects, the government has moved decisively to transform Connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir ’s infrastructure landscape. These initiatives promise more than better roads, they aim to uplift entire communities by improving access, integration, and opportunity. As construction gears up, the region takes a significant step toward year-round mobility, stronger democratic participation, and deeper national integration.
