Centre approves Rs. 9,000 crore for Jammu-Srinagar National Highway

New Delhi, Jan.5 (ANI): The Government has approved 9000 crore rupees for four- laning of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, a step which is expected to ensure smooth traffic movement and easing frequent traffic snarls.

According to Minister for Roads and Buildings of Jammu and Kashmir G.M. Saroori, the preliminary work of the project, which includes acquisition of land and forest clearance, has almost completed.

Saroori revealed this as he presided over a high-level officers meet convened to review the pace of road projects and constructions of tunnels in the State by BEACON and SAMPARK.

For four-laning, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been divided into six phases, Qazigund-Banihal, Banihal-Ramban, Ramban-Nashri, Nashri-Chinani, Chanani-Uhdampur and Udhampur-Jammu.

In all cases, 80% of the land has been acquired so far.

The nine kilometer long Qazigund-Banhihal tunnel would be constructed at a cost of Rs.2,400 cores.

At Nashri-Chenani , a 8.75 kms long tunnel would also be constructed at a cost of Rs, 2,100 crore which, on completion, would reduce 60 kilometres of travel distance between Jammu and Srinagar.

The NHAI has already provided 275 crore rupees to Deputy Commissioners of Jammu , Udhampur and Anantnag for acquiring the land for the project. Of that 137 crore rupees have been paid as land compensation to the land owners and other cases are under process of acquisition and payment. (ANI)