A new highway corridor connecting Jammu and Srinagar is being planned as an alternative surface link that could significantly reduce both travel distance and journey time between the two cities.
The proposed corridor will run through Katra, Reasi, Mahore, Gulabgarh, Nandimarg and Kulgam, before connecting with the road network towards Srinagar.
The approximately 195-197 km route is expected to be nearly 50 km shorter than the existing NH-44 route through Udhampur, Ramban and Banihal.
According to officials, the new corridor is being planned as an extension of the Delhi-Amritsar-Jammu-Katra Expressway.
Once completed, the journey between Jammu and Srinagar could take around 3 to 3.15 hours, subject to road conditions and the final alignment.A major feature of the proposed project will be the construction of tunnels, bridges and flyovers. Nearly 50 km of the corridor is expected to pass through such structures.
A major tunnel of around 7-8 km has been proposed through the Pir Panjal ranges between the Gulabgarh-Nandimarg and Kulgam areas.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has already initiated steps towards preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR), including feasibility studies, traffic surveys and engineering work.
The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 20,000 crore, while construction is expected to take approximately five to seven years.The proposed highway is also expected to provide better connectivity to several remote areas of Reasi and adjoining parts of Rajouri and Poonch. Areas such as Mahore, Gulabgarh, Dharmari and Arnas could benefit from improved year-round connectivity.
The project is being viewed as an important alternative to NH-44 and the Mughal Road, both of which face traffic and weather-related challenges at different times of the year.
Besides reducing travel distance, the new corridor could help ease congestion on NH-44 and improve connectivity between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley. Officials and local representatives have also highlighted the potential of the project to promote tourism, trade and economic activity in the Reasi-Mahore-Gulabgarh belt.However, the final alignment, construction schedule and travel time will depend on the detailed project report and subsequent execution of the highway.
