Sonamarg, Jan 13: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, on Monday, emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has committed to the comprehensive development of Jammu and Kashmir, in line with the progress seen across the rest of the country. He also highlighted the construction of 33 tunnels in the region, with 5 completed and 9 under construction.
At a gathering in Sonamarg, following the inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel, Gadkari reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s dedication to improving the road infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. This, he said, is crucial for national progress and aligns with the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).
He said that Modi Govt remains steadfast in its commitment to connecting Jammu & Kashmir with fast, sustainable mobility solutions. This transformative vision boosts the local economy, enhances tourism, and creates abundant job opportunities, empowering the region’s youth for a brighter future.
He said that historic inauguration of the Sonamarg tunnel, previously known as the Z-Morh tunnel, will provide all-weather connectivity to the tourist resort town.
“Due to heavy snowfall, this road used to remain closed for five to six months each year. Although the project began in 2012 and faced several difficulties, I am pleased that the work is now complete. The opening of this tunnel ensures connectivity from Srinagar to Ladakh and Leh, which previously remained shut for half the year,” he said.
The Union Minister said that ongoing work on the nearby Zojila tunnel will significantly reduce travel time from Srinagar to Leh by 3.5 hours and keep the road open throughout the year.
“The Zojila tunnel, spanning 14 km with an 18 km approach road, is being constructed at a cost of Rs 6,800 crore. Initially, the project’s cost was estimated at Rs 12,000 crore, but we managed to save around Rs 5,000 crore,” he said.
“Once completed, the Zojila tunnel will be the highest tunnel in Asia, providing all-season connectivity and ease of travel between Srinagar and Leh,” Gadkari said.
He said they are constructing four corridors in the Union Territory at an estimated cost of Rs 50,000 crore. The Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar corridor, which is 250 km long, will be built for Rs 16,000 crore, with a target completion date by the end of this year.
“This corridor will have 33 tunnels, 15 of which have already been completed. The remaining 18 are under construction and will reduce the distance by 70 km, saving five hours of travel time,” he said, adding that nine tunnels will be finished by December 2025.
The second corridor, Jammu-Chenani-Anantnag, spans 202 km and is being developed at a cost of Rs 14,000 crore, with completion expected by December 2025. “Five tunnels in this project will reduce the distance by 68 km,” he added.
The third corridor, Surankote-Shopian-Baramulla-Uri, is 303 km long and is being built at Rs 10,000 crore, with completion scheduled for 2027. The fourth corridor, Jammu-Akhnoor-Surankote-Poonch, spans 203 km and will cost Rs 5,000 crore. The DPR process has already begun for this project, he mentioned. Gadkari announced that the DPR process has also started for the Kathua-Basohli-Bhaderwah-Doda corridor, a 250 km four-lane project costing Rs 3,400 crore, which will allow direct travel from Kathua to Srinagar without passing through Jammu.
Additionally, Gadkari mentioned the Srinagar ring road project, which is a 104-km four-lane road being built at a cost of Rs 7,200 crore and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. “Once completed, this project will prevent the need for people traveling to Gurez, Baramulla, or Ladakh to enter Srinagar,” he said.
Referring to PM Modi’s vision of connecting Kashmir with Delhi and reducing emotional distances, Gadkari said the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra greenfield express highway, costing Rs 41,000 crore and spanning 670 km, will be completed by year-end.
“This highway will reduce the road journey between Delhi and Srinagar to 8-8.5 hours and will be completed within 1.5 years,” he added.
Gadkari also announced that the government is undertaking five ropeway projects in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Shankaracharya ropeway in Srinagar, Baltal to Amarnath cave shrine ropeway, and Sonamarg-Thajiwas ropeway.
“Work on these projects will begin soon,” he said. “Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, road and rail connectivity has vastly improved, transforming what was once thought impossible into reality,” he added, lauding the engineers and contractors who completed the Sonamarg tunnel project despite challenging circumstances.
“I congratulate the people of Jammu and Kashmir for this achievement.”
He said Sonmarg Tunnel Pariyojana, constructed at a total cost of ₹2,717 crore and spanning a length of 11.98 km in Sonamarg, Jammu & Kashmir. The tunnel ensures uninterrupted traffic flow between Srinagar and Ladakh year-round, bypassing avalanche-prone areas and providing a secure route for travelers. It facilitates seamless movement of local agricultural goods from Srinagar to Leh, significantly reducing travel time while fostering quicker connectivity.
Key projects:
Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar Corridor (250 km): Costing Rs 16,000 crore, with 33 tunnels, 15 of which are completed. The remaining 18 tunnels are under construction, and the project is expected to be finished by the end of this year. This corridor will reduce the distance by 70 km and save travelers five hours of journey time.
Jammu-Chenani-Anantnag Corridor (202 km): Being developed at a cost of Rs 14,000 crore, with completion expected by December 2025. Five tunnels in this project will reduce the distance by 68 km.
Surankote-Shopian-Baramulla-Uri Corridor (303 km): This corridor is being developed at a cost of Rs 10,000 crore, with completion scheduled for 2027.
Jammu-Akhnoor-Surankote-Poonch Corridor (203 km): Estimated at Rs 5,000 crore, the DPR process for this project has already begun.
