Jammu: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH 44) has suffered extensive damage during the recent floods in Jammu and Kashmir. During this time, people had a lot of difficulty in commuting. However, better service is expected early next year. Construction of one of the two tunnels being built between Marog and Panthyal on the Ramban-Banihal section of the highway will be completed in early 2026.
Another achievement is expected by the end of next year. The remaining four-lane road and flyover beyond Ramsu will be completed. The completion of these two projects will facilitate the journey to the Kashmir Valley. An official of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) told ETV India that two tunnels are still under construction.
The 4.2-kilometre twin-tube tunnel from Marog to Digdol will bypass the 5-kilometre existing road, the official said. It will be completed by June 2027. While the 2.6 km and 3 km long twin tube tunnel from Digdol to Panthyal will bypass the 3 km existing road. It will be completed by January 2026.
The official said that the work on these two tunnels is progressing at a fast pace. If everything goes according to plan, the project will be completed on time. Currently, vehicles have to travel on an old two-lane road, where traffic congestion occurs if any vehicle breaks down or heavy vehicles move slowly.
Most of the other four lane and tunnel construction work between Ramban and Banihal is almost complete. The journey has already been eased, but the completion of these two tunnels will reduce the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar to four hours. Another dangerous part is beyond the Ramsu area where NHAI is constructing the flyover and the project is also expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
During the unprecedented rains in the month of August, the NHAI faced a difficult period when the forlane between Udhampur and Chenani suffered heavy damage and a 200-metre section of road was completely damaged at Tharar near the Vali Nale. Although NHAI restored traffic, work is still going on.
