Jammu, Nov 8: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari Wednesday announced having undertaken expansion of the Chenani-Sudhmahadev segment of National Highway (NH-244), transforming it into a 2-lane road with paved shoulders.
This is an alternate route from Chenani to Srinagar via Sudhmahadev, Goha, Khellani and Khanabal. With a collage of pics offering a sneak peek vis-à-vis updated status and progress about this 16.99 km segment, one among 17 major road development projects being undertaken in J&K, Gadkari made this announcement through a tweet on ‘X’ (previously called Twitter).
This stretch is important from the perspective of religious tourism as well, besides tapping the tourism potential of Mantalai.
He asserted that the improved highway would not only facilitate year-round connectivity but would also be a game-changer for the local economy and people. The project is being built at a cost of over Rs 155 Cr.
As usual, Gadkari credited the Prime Minister for this endeavour demonstrating guarantee for “seamless and ecologically responsible mobility network” in J&K.
“In Jammu & Kashmir, we have undertaken the expansion and enhancement of the Chenani-Sudhmahadev segment of National Highway NH-244, transforming it into a 2-lane road with paved shoulders. This pivotal project, spanning a total length of 16.99 kilometers, marks the first phase of its development,” the Union Minister tweeted.
“The improved highway is set to offer year-round connectivity, a game-changer for the local economy and the people in the area. This endeavor, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji, stands as a testament to the commitment to establishing an efficient, seamless, and ecologically responsible mobility network in Jammu & Kashmir. #PragatiKaHighway #GatiShakti,” Gadkari further wrote.
Earlier on September 28, 2023 also, while giving the status of this project, the Union Minister on ‘X’ had mentioned that this section on NH 244 was being expanded, enhanced so as to configure it into a 2-lane road with paved shoulders, under Phase-I. As per officials, this stretch is strategically important from a security point of view also. According to them, being executed by National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), the project will also encompass construction of a major bridge, two minor bridges, 16 culverts, vehicular underpass, pedestrian underpass and two bus bays.
In September last year, Gadkari, through a series of tweets with a tag “Connecting India with prosperity”, had announced that this project, being built at a cost of Rs 155.05 Cr, would be completed next year (2023). “The stretch would connect Chenani, Goha, Khellani, Kisahtwar, and Khanabal and provide alternate connectivity to National Highway-244,” he had mentioned.
Gadkari had asserted that such endeavours, under the leadership of the Prime Minister Modi, were underway at all corners of the country and would give a dynamic boost to the economy.