Jammu, November 20, 2025 : Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of major highways, tunnels, and road development projects underway across Jammu & Kashmir. The meeting involved agencies including Project Beacon, Project Sampark, NHAI, NHIDCL, and the Public Works (R&B) Department.
The Chief Secretary conducted a project-wise and package-wise evaluation of all ongoing works and sought clear timelines for completion while identifying bottlenecks affecting progress. He stressed that permissions for extraction of construction material must be strictly regulated and used only for authorised projects.
Deputy Commissioners were directed to expedite compensation cases and ensure immediate land handover to executing agencies to enable simultaneous work across all project sections. He also instructed prompt processing of forest clearances where required.
Both Divisional Commissioners were asked to hold regular coordination meetings with implementing agencies to remove delays and maintain steady momentum. While assuring full administrative support, the Chief Secretary insisted that agencies must strictly adhere to deadlines.
The PWD was instructed to finalise new DPRs under formulation so that projects could swiftly move toward tendering and execution.
Major Projects Reviewed
A detailed review was conducted on multiple flagship corridors, including:
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Srinagar–Baramulla–Uri Road
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Khanabal–Baltal Road
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Peer ki Gali & Sadhna Tunnels alignment
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Akhnoor–Poonch Road (completion status)
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Dredging permissions for NH-144A
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Mangam–Doodhpathri–Shopian–Poonch Road
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Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway
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Kaluchak–Purmandal–Domel Road
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Fourth Tawi Bridge, Jammu
Special Focus on NH-44 and Tunnel Projects
The Chief Secretary placed particular emphasis on expediting works along NH-44, including the completion of key tunnel projects:
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Nashri–Chenani Road (via Patnitop)
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Marog–Digdol Tunnel
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Digdol–Khuni Nallah Tunnel
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Makarkot–Sherbibi Tunnel
He directed that blacktopping of the Banihal–Ramban stretch be completed before the end of December and instructed the Divisional Commissioner Jammu to closely monitor progress and submit regular reports.
Ring Road Projects & Urban Connectivity
The meeting noted progress on the Jammu and Srinagar Ring Roads, with a review of land acquisition, construction, and connectivity issues.
Special focus was given to:
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Completion of the Jammu tunnel
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Srinagar Ring Road connectivity to Airport
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Sumbal–Wayil linkage
NHIDCL & NHAI Projects
The Chief Secretary reviewed key NHIDCL works, including:
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Jammu–Akhnoor Road
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Bhagwati Chowk–Canal Head surface improvement
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Chenani–Sudhmahadev Road
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Goha–Khellani Road
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Khellani–Khanabal corridor
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Zojila Tunnel
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Revised DPRs under study
NHAI’s pending DPRs were also examined, covering:
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New Fourth Tawi Bridge
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Jammu Ring Road Phase-II
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Six-laning of Chenani–Nashri Tunnel
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Srinagar Ring Road Phase-III
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Sumbal–Bandipora–Gurez Road
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Service road on Srinagar–Qazigund stretch
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Kathua–Basholi–Bani–Bafliaz–Doda Road, among others
R&B Projects Reviewed
Progress was also assessed on:
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Bypasses for Pulwama, Kulgam & Shopian
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Sanat Nagar Flyover
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Tengpora Service Road
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Bridges at Chanapora & Tengpora
New proposals discussed included:
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Parimpora–Shalteng Flyover
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Old Padshahibagh Bridge
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Lal Chowk–Parimpora Flyover
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Several other urban connectivity projects
Reiterating the importance of these projects for mobility, economic development, and regional integration, Chief Secretary Dulloo directed all departments to work in close coordination, resolve impediments swiftly, and ensure timely completion of all packages.
The meeting was attended by the ACS PWD, Divisional Commissioners, Secretary Transport, Engineer-in-Chief, NHAI officials, Chief Engineers of Project Beacon and Project Sampark, senior officers, and all Deputy Commissioners via video conference.
