Progress made in the field of the infrastructure since Jammu and Kashmir became a Union Territory

Road and bridge infrastructure projects are essentially for enhancing connectivity, facilitating transportation of goods and people, and improving overall economic development. However, these projects also have a significant impact on employment generation by way of construction jobs, supply chain jobs, local labour, supporting industries, service sector jobs, long term maintenance jobs, skill development and indirect jobs.

Realization of the vision and objectives of the Department is pursued through implementation of various flagship programmes and schemes of the Department, which are summarised as under:

A) Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY):

Under this programme, unconnected habitations with 250+ population in J&K as per 2001 census are to be connected through all-weather roads. In J&K, 2140 rural habitations were found eligible to be connected under this scheme for which Ministry of Rural Development, GoI has sanctioned 3453 projects (including 239 LSBs) under PMGSY-I & II for construction of 19049 Km road length at an estimated cost of Rs.12565 Cr. Moreover, 276 projects (including 65 LSBs) sanctioned under PMGSY-III for upgradation of 1617Km length at an estimated cost of Rs.2093.00 Crores.

Despite limited working season, J&K has achieved 99% of the sanctioned programme. 2107 habitations have already been connected by March 2023 and 12 habitations are connected during this year (upto 30-11-2023).Remaining 33 habitations are targeted to be connected by March 2024, thereby18336Km road lengthagainst the sanctioned programme.

PMGSY Progress 2019-24:
Year Schemes completed as per OMMAS Length constructed as per OMMAS
(in Kms) Bridges constructed Expenditure as per OMMAS
(Rs. in Cr.) National Ranking
2019-20 181 1174.94 16 1324.12 9th
2020-21 243 3166.52 21 932.37 3rd
2021-22 344 3283.30 53 1485.28 3rd
2022-23 410 461.85 30 1114.78 20th
2023-24* 90 601.00 7 938.00 9th

up to 14th December 2023.

J&K has exceptionally performed in making progress and achieving goals under PMGSY during past three years. The UT has consecutively ranked 3rd at the National level during 2020-21 and 2021-22 in terms of road length constructed under the programme.

B) NABARD RIDF:
For improving rural connectivity, J&K Government is obtaining loan from NABARD under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) programme for construction of “rural roads” and “rural bridges” in J&K. Under RIDF tranches XXV-XXIX, a record number of 1057 road and bridge projects for an amount of Rs.4550 Cr have been sanctioned since 2019-20, which include 183 projects sanctioned during 2023-24 at a cost of Rs.913 Cr.

NABARD project sanctioned 2019-24:
S.
No. Year RIDF Tranche No of projects sanctioned Estimated Cost
(in Rs Cr) Schemes Completed Expenditure
(Rs in Cr)
1 2019-20 XXV 84 231 43 176.88
2 2020-21 XXVI 115 419 20 98.74
3 2021-22 XXVII 400 1585 36 201.91
4 2022-23 XXVIII 275 1402 74 510.00
5 2023-24* XXIX 183 913 0 0
Total 1057 4550 173 987.53
up to November 2023.

Under NABARD funding, during 2022-23, J&K spent more than Rs.500 Cr in single Financial Year for the first time.

C) Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF):
Aim under this scheme is to develop and maintain state roads, particularly those of economic importance and which provides inter-state connectivity, rural roads, etc. Construction/ upgradation of 294 major road and bridge projects have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) under the scheme since 2000 at an estimated cost of Rs 4315 crore.

163 projects have been completed and an expenditure to the tune of Rs 2706 Cr incurred on the sanctioned projects.

Overview of CRIF Schemes
Project Type No of projects sanctioned Length in Kms Estimated Cost
(in Rs Cr) Projects Completed Length Achieved Expenditure*
(in Rs Cr)
Roads 236 3037 3395 127 1827 2190
Bridges 58 – 920 34 516
Total 294 – 4315 161 1827 2706

up to November 2023

Yearwise progress achieved under CRIF
Financial year 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 *
No of schemes completed 11 8 8 20 15
Expdt incurred 207.10 192.77 357.51 410.90 124.89

up to November 2023

Yearly utilisation of funds and completion of projects under CRIF has improved considerably in last three years.

D) Macadamizationprogrammes:

City & Town roads and major district roads suffer damages due to huge traffic flow and severe weather conditions which necessitates proper maintenance and periodical renewal coats of macadam. Every year elaborate plans are chalked out for relaying road surfaces in cities, towns, major district roads, village roads, PMGSY roads (post DLP) and roads leading to tourist destinations in line with the commitment of the Department for providing better roads to meet the expectations of the public. The Department takes blacktopping of the roads under various sectors however, there are two exclusive programmes dedicated to provide better riding surface of roads in J&K viz. “Cities & Towns programme” with an allocation of Rs.500 Cr and Potholes Free Roads Programme with allocation of Rs.180 Cr during CFY.

Potholes on the roads have been major concern for smooth flow of traffic, damages to vehicles and accidents, thus causing huge inconvenience to general public. Taking cognizance of this, the UT Government in 2021-22 introduced Pothole Free Roads Programme in phased manner, wherein all major roads from State Headquarter to District Headquarter, inter District roads, District Headquarter to Sub-Divisional/ Tehsil/ Block Headquarter and roads connecting National Highways are to be made pothole free.

Progress with regard toMacadamisationachieved under all sectors by PWD for the last six years is as under:

Macadamisation achieved from 2017-18 to 2022-23
Item 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23
Macadamization achieved (in Kms) 4575 2387 2290.00 5136.00 7610.00 4061.00
Macadamisation per day (in Kms) 8.45 15.35

From 2017 to 2020 total macadamisation was 9252 Kms whereas from 2020 to 2023 total length achieved under macadamisation was 16807 Kms

E) Bridge Programme:
Bridges form an important component of road connectivity. Bridges ensure accessibility, shorten distances, and reduce travel time. Given the topography of UT and abundance of rivers and streams crisscrossing its landscape, requirement for construction of new bridges is huge. The Department is implementing a special bridge programme under which construction of new bridges is taken up.  Bridges, however, are also taken up under other schemes/ sectors as well.

Under various sectors, 338 bridges are under construction in the UT through PWD at an estimated cost of Rs 1785 Cr. During last 05 years, 290 bridges have been completed at an estimated cost of Rs 880 Cr.

Completion of bridges: 2017-22

Item 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 *
No. of bridges 58 78 91 47 16
Cost (Rs in Cr) 220.69 190.36 208.31 120.89 64.09

Up to November 2023

F) PMDP Projects:
PMDP was announced during 2015-16 having 15 Road Projects at an estimated cost of Rs. 29369.76 Crore. During initial two-three years, execution of these projects remained tardy. For last three years, the project implementation is on speedy track. Though most of the projects are being implemented by central agencies, namely, BRO, NHAI and NHIDCL, however, PWD remains active in monitoring its implementation, removing bottlenecks causing delays like; alignment approval, land acquisition, structure acquisition, forest land acquisition, utility shifting, availability of aggregates and organizing review meetings for monitoring progress of these projects by Chief Secretary and HLG at UT level and Union Home Secretary, Cabinet Secretary and PMO at Union level. All sister agencies have been extended with the best cooperation and most of the impediments have been removed expeditiously which is visible in enhanced expenditure level and physical progress.

a. National Highway Projects Progress: 2017-23

S. No. Agency ITEM UNIT 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 Total
1 2 3 4 7 9 10 11 12
1 NHAI Expenditure Rs in Cr 1378.33 1040.42 1387.24 3567.46 7373.45
Length achieved Kms 8.52 33.56 56.18 58.08 156.34
2 NHIDCL Expenditure Rs in Cr 48.63 222.60 645.21 903.29 1819.73
Length achieved Kms 0.00 0.00 26.91 62.64 89.55
4 BRO Expenditure Rs in Cr 32.37 37.03 94.47 458.87 622.74
Length achieved Kms 12.34 16.52 22.26 30.74 81.86
6 PWD Expenditure Rs in Cr 21.32 51.88 40.96 63.93 178.09
Length achieved Kms 15.20 0.00 108.32 25.72 149.24
Total Expenditure Rs in Cr 1480.65 1351.93 2167.88 4993.55 9994.01
Length achieved Kms 36.06 50.08 213.67 177.18 476.99

b. PMDP Project-wise achievements: 2017-23

(Rs. in Cr)
S.
No Project As on 3/2020 As on 11/2023
Sanctioned cost Funds utilized Physical Status (%age) Sanctioned cost Funds utilized Physical Status
(%age)

Construction of Semi Ring Road in Jammu 1891.00 666.71 27% 2024.00 1509.30 92.97 %
(Excl. Tunnel)
Construction of Semi Ring Road in Srinagar 1860.00 592.92 Work not started 2920.00 1651.52 Ph-I: 34%
Ph-II: Work being started
Four-laning of Jammu-Udhampur Section of NH-1A (Km 15 to 67) 2648.98 2648.98 95% 2659.00 2659.00 Completed
Udhampur- Ramban Road (Km 67 to 89, 130 to 151) 2137.00 1394.52 62% 2137.00 2142.32 98.10 %
Four-laning of Chenani-Nashri Section of NH-1A (Km 89 to 130) (Tunnel Project- 9 Km long tunnel-2 lane) 4707.64 4707.64 95% 5084.30 5084.30 Completed
Ramban-Banihal Road (Km 151.000 to Km 187.00) 2169.00 722.32 20% 2169.00 1536.43 79.54%
(value addition/ realignment works (13.6 km) also taken up)
Four-laning of Srinagar- Banihal Section of NH-1A 2898.77 2898.77 90% 2935.26 3001.10 94%
Road open for traffic.
Four-laning of Qazigund-Banihal Section of NH-1A- Tunnel Project 2915.73 2915.73 85% 3120.91 3120.91 Completed
Chenani- Sudhmahadev-Goha road 255.90 50.16 12% 5147.69 535.93 80.61%
Sudhmahadev-Goha Tunnel tendered
Construction of double lane road Batote- Kishtwar-Sinthan pass-Anantnag 130.00 130.00 Completed 130.00 130.00 Completed
Jammu-Akhnoor- Poonch road
a. Jammu-Akhnoor Section
a. Akhnoor-Poonch Section 1983.55 119.69 (a) (i) 27%
(ii) 1%

(b) Nil 4383.42 1280.33 a) One Package completed, another package nearing completion.
b) 5 Pkgs in progress and 1 completed.

Kalai Bridge, Sukhato Bridge, Bridge on NH-144A at Km 150.50 33.93 20.94 1 Bridge completed 33.93 32.37 All bridges Completed
Upgrading Srinagar-Uri-LOC Road, Double laning of Srinagar- Leh road via Kargil and Uri-Kaman post 790.90 704.59 Only Maintenance works completed 1167.23 735.89 Four lanningupto Baramulla including Baramulla and Pattan Bypasses sanctioned. Work on Srinagar Baramulla section started
Srinagar- Shopian-Qazigund road 162.47 4.60 Work being started 233.82 79.15 Strengthening works (82 KMs) completed; 3 Bypasses in progress.
Baramulla-Gulmarg Road 84.60 0.00 Works sanctioned 84.60 84.60 Completed
Total 24669.47 17577.57 35191.16 23583.15

Funds utilized during CFY: Rs.96.65 Cr/day

Above table clearly depicts quantum jump in physical and financial progress on above projects in comparison to 2017-20 and 2020-23.

In addition to above, MoRTH has also sanctioned Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway (135 kms in J&K) with following sections:
S.No Name of the section Length Physical progress Date of completion
1 P-14: Balsua (Punjab) to Hiranagar 44.60 km 20.00% Sept, 2024
2 P-15: Hiranagar to Jakh village (junction with Jammu Ring Road) 35.15 km 27% Sept, 2024
3 P-16: Jakh to Kunjwani including Kunjwani to 4thTawi bridge and spur connectivity to Jammu Airport 20.385 km 25% Sept, 2024
4 P-17: Kunjwari to Sidhra and Domel to Katra 28.92 km 1.07% Sept, 2024
5 P-18: Sidhra to Ban Village 19.00 km Work awarded

On completion of the expressway, distance between Delhi and Katra will be reduced to 6 hours only.

G) Tunnels, flyovers and bypasses under PMDP/NH projects
PMDP Projects have many tunnels, fly-overs and by-passes which have now been tendered out, allotted and execution of work have started: There are 21 Tunnels having length of 69.3 KMs, 39 Flyovers with length of 47.4 KMs and 26 Bypasses and 2 Ring Roads for both capital cities with a length of 160 Kms, works which are under execution and are at various stages of completion. Majority of these infrastructure projects have been sanctioned for execution during 2020-23:

a. New Tunnels (21):

Name of tunnel Present status
i. Zojilla tunnel on NH-1 (14.15 Kms) Physical progress 43%
ii. Z-Morh tunnel on NH-1 (6.50 Kms) Physical progress 81%
iii. PeerahKunfer tunnel on NH-44 (0.888 Kms) (2 No.) Completed
iv. Cafetariamorh tunnel on NH-44 (0.800 Kms) (2 No.) Work in progress
v. Kela Morh tunnel on NH-44 (0.323 Kms) Completed
vi. Marog tunnel on NH-44 (0.234 Kms) Completed
vii. Khuni Nallah tunnel on NH-44 (0.585 Kms) Completed
viii. Panthiyal tunnel on NH-44 (0.870 Kms) Completed
ix. Marog tunnel on NH-44 (0.395 Kms) Completed
x. Chamalwas tunnel on NH-44 (0.340 Kms) Work in progress
xi. Marog to Digdole on NH-44 (4.23 Kms) Work in progress
xii. Digdole to Khooni nallah on NH-44 (3.0 Kms) Work in progress
xiii. Jammu Ring Rd tunnel on NH-244A (2.15 Kms) Work started.
xiv. Kundi tunnel on NH-144A (0.260 Kms) Work in progress
xv. Sungal tunnel on NH-144A (2.79 Kms) Work in progress
xvi. Nowshera tunnel on NH-144A (0.700 Kms) Work in progress
xvii. Bimber Gali tunnel on NH-144A (1.10 Km) Under tendering
xviii. Sudhmahadev Dranga tunnels on NH-244 (8.00 Km) (2 No.) Work being awarded
xix. VailooSinghpora tunnel on NH-244 (10.36 Kms) Work being awarded
xx. Khilani Bypass tunnel on NH-244 (1.57 Kms) Physical progress 67%
xxi. Chamoti-Drabshala tunnel on NH-244 (0.495 Kms) Physical progress 46%

b. New Flyovers (39):

Name of flyover Present status
i. Flyover at Chadwal on DAK EW (840 mtr) Work recently commenced
ii. Flyover at Gagwal on DAK EW (1625 mtr) Work recently commenced
iii. Flyover at Supwal on DAK EW (660 mtrs) Work recently commenced
iv. Flyover at Vijaypur on DAK EW (2460 mtrs) Work recently commenced
v. Flyover at Jakh on DAK EW (525 mtrs) Work recently commenced
vi. Flyover at Tarore on DAK EW (1285 mtrs) Work recently commenced
vii. Flyover at Sarore on DAK EW (8185 mtrs) Work recently commenced
viii. Kunjwani to Satwari flyover on DAK EW (3950 mtrs) Work recently commenced
ix. Flyover at Channi Himmat chock on DAK EW (1050 mtrs) Work recently commenced
x. Sunjuwan To Jammu City flyover on DAK EW (1090 mtrs) Work recently commenced
xi. Viaduct at Rangoora on DAK EW (500 mtrs) Work recently commenced
xii. Viaduct at Rangoora on DAK EW (400 mtrs) Work recently commenced
xiii. Viaduct at Majeen on DAK EW (800 mtrs) Work recently commenced
xiv. Viaduct at Sidhra on DAK EW (400 mtrs) Work recently commenced
xv. Flyover at Katra on DAK EW (700 mtrs) Work recently commenced
xvi. Viaduct at Dharore on DAK EW (300 mtrs) Work recently commenced
xvii. Viaduct at Kandyar on DAK EW (500 mtrs) Work recently commenced
xviii. Viaduct at Pamore on DAK EW (700 mtrs) Work recently commenced
xix. Viaduct at Numai Check post on DAK EW (300 mtrs) Work recently commenced
xx. 4 lane Tawi bridge at Sidhra on DAK EW (1000 mtrs) Work recently commenced
xxi. Viaduct at Bann on DAK EW (1750 mtrs) Work recently commenced
xxii. 4th Tawi Bridge flyover on NH-144A (1350 mtrs) Work started.
xxiii. Canal head to Paloura flyover on NH-144A (5200 mtrs) Completed
xxiv. Samba flyover on NH-44 (1090 mtr) Completed
xxv. Nashri Dhalwas section viaduct (NB V2/ V3 – 910.10 mtr) Work in progress
xxvi. Nashri Dhalwas section viaduct (SB V2/V3– 940.10 mtr) Work in progress
xxvii. Makerkot – Ramsoo – Nachlana section Viaduct (NB V1 to V4 – 4663 mtr) Work in progress
xxviii. Makerkot – Ramsoo – Nachlana section Viaduct (SB V1/V2 – 950 mtr) Work in progress
xxix. Ramban bypass flyover on NH-44 (1080 mtrs) Completed & commissioned.
xxx. Banihal bypass flyover on NH-44 (2350 mtrs) Completion by May 2024.
xxxi. Qazigund tunnel to Banihal flyover on NH-44 (1420 mtr) Completed
xxxii. Lasjan flyover on NH-44 (560 mtr) Work in progress
xxxiii. Bemina flyover on NH-44 (880 mtrs) Work in progress
xxxiv. Nowgam flyover on NH-44 (850 mtrs) Work in progress
xxxv. Sanatnagar flyover on NH-44 (850 mtrs) Work in progress
xxxvi. Ganderbal flyover on NH-1 (1500 mtrs) Work tendered
xxxvii. Flyover for Sumbal town on NH-1 (2000 mtrs) Work being started
xxxviii. Sangrama flyover on NH-1 (660 mtrs) Work started
xxxix. Delina flyover on NH-1 (1704 mtrs) Work allotted
xl. ParimporaShalteng flyover (1726 mtrs) Sanction letter received during December, 2023

c. Bypasses (26):

Name of Bypasses Present status
i. Lakhanpur/ Kathua town bypass (NH-44) Work in progress
ii. Hiranagar bypass (NH-44) Work in progress
iii. Samba bypass (NH-44) Work in progress
iv. Udhampur bypass (NH-44) Completed
v. Ramban bypass (NH-44) Completed
vi. Banihal bypass (NH-44) Work in progress
vii. Qazigund bypass (NH-44) Completed
viii. Anantnag/ Bijbehara bypass (NH-44) Completed
ix. Awantipora bypass (NH-44) Completed
x. Pampore bypass (NH-44) Completed
xi. Pattan bypass (NH-1) Under tendering
xii. Baramulla bypass (NH-1) Under tendering
xiii. Akhnoor bypass (NH-144A) Work in progress
xiv. Sunderbani bypass (NH-144A) Work in progress
xv. Katra bypass (NH-144) Work being started
xvi. Thathri bypass (NH-244) Work in progress
xvii. Kishtwar bypass (NH-244) Work in progress
xviii. Chatroo bypass (NH-244) Work in progress
xix. Donipawa- Ashajipora- Alstop bypass (NH-244) Work in progress
xx. Seer bypass (NH-501) Under sanction
xxi. Ashmuqam bypass (NH-501) Under sanction
xxii. Pahalgam bypass (NH-501) Under sanction
xxiii. Pulwama bypass (NH-444) Work in progress
xxiv. Kulgam bypass (NH-444) Work in progress
xxv. Shopian bypass (NH-444) LA in progress
xxvi. Qazigund bypass (NH-444) Under sanction