Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the status of major highway and road development projects underway across Jammu & Kashmir under Project Beacon, Project Sampark, NHAI, NHIDCL and the Public Works (R&B) Department.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, PWD; Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir; Secretary Transport; senior engineers of NHAI, Project Beacon, Project Sampark, and other officials. All Deputy Commissioners joined via video conference.
Project-wise Review
The Chief Secretary undertook a detailed project- and package-wise review of all major highways, seeking precise timelines and asking executing agencies to identify bottlenecks.
He stressed that extraction permissions for construction material must be strictly regulated and used only for authorised works.
Deputy Commissioners were directed to expedite compensation cases and ensure immediate land handover to executing agencies. He also instructed timely grant of forest clearances to avoid project delays.
Divisional Commissioners were told to engage regularly with implementing agencies to resolve issues quickly and maintain work momentum. Dulloo emphasised that while the administration will extend full support, agencies must strictly follow deadlines.
The PWD was asked to finalise new DPRs under formulation at the earliest, enabling early tendering and execution.
Major Corridors Reviewed
A comprehensive review was held on several flagship corridors, including:
- Srinagar–Baramulla–Uri Road
- Khanabal–Baltal Road
- Peer ki Gali and Sadhna Tunnel alignments
- Akhnoor–Poonch Road
- NH-144A dredging permissions
- Mangam–Doodhpathri–Shopian–Poonch Road
- Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway
- Kaluchak–Purmandal–Domel Road
- Fourth Tawi Bridge, Jammu
Focus on NH-44 and Tunnel Projects
Special emphasis was laid on expediting work on NH-44, including:
- Nashri–Chenani Road via Patnitop
- Marog–Digdol Tunnel
- Digdol–Khuni Nallah Tunnel
- Makarkot–Sherbibi Tunnel
- Black-topping of Banihal–Ramban stretch before December end
The Divisional Commissioner Jammu was instructed to closely monitor progress and submit regular reports.
Ring Roads & Metropolitan Projects
The meeting reviewed progress on the Jammu and Srinagar Ring Road projects, covering land issues, connectivity needs, and construction status.
Discussions were also held on the Jammu tunnel and improved connectivity for the Srinagar Ring Road, especially towards the Airport and from Sumbal to Wayil.
NHIDCL & NHAI DPRs Reviewed
Key NHIDCL projects reviewed included:
- Jammu–Akhnoor Road
- Bhagwati Chowk–Canal Head riding surface improvement
- Chenani–Sudhmahadev Road
- Goha–Khellani and Khellani–Khanabal stretches
- Zojila Tunnel
- Revised DPRs under finalisation
NHAI’s upcoming DPRs reviewed included:
- New Fourth Tawi Bridge
- Jammu Ring Road Phase-II
- Six-laning of Chenani–Nashri Tunnel
- Srinagar Ring Road Phase-III
- Sumbal–Bandipora–Gurez Road
- Service road on Srinagar–Qazigund Highway
- Kathua–Basholi–Bani–Bafliaz–Doda Road, among others
R&B Sector Projects
Progress on major R&B projects was assessed, including:
- Bypasses for Pulwama, Kulgam, and Shopian
- Sanat Nagar Flyover
- Tengpora Service Road
- Bridges at Chanapora and Tengpora
New proposals included:
- Parimpora–Shalteng Flyover
- Old Padshahibagh Bridge
- Lal Chowk–Parimpora Flyover
- Several other critical connectivity works
