- विज्ञापन -
Jammu: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced on January 5 that the 4-lane Banihal bypass is complete and will be operational within 15 days. This new bypass will alleviate traffic congestion in Banihal town along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, significantly reducing travel time.
Constructed at a cost of ₹224.44 crore, the bypass includes four viaducts totaling 1,513 meters and three culverts, addressing long-standing traffic bottlenecks caused by roadside markets. Gadkari noted that traffic will initially flow on two lanes before expanding to four as junction development concludes.
He emphasized the project’s importance for regional connectivity, national security logistics, and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for its transformative impact on the region’s economy and status as a tourist destination.
The connectivity improvements have shortened the distance between Jammu and Srinagar, with the addition of several tunnels and flyovers, notably the Nashri and Pir Panjal tunnels, which ensure an all-weather route. However, challenges remain on a 52 km stretch from Ramsoo to Ramban, which is prone to landslides and mudslides.
Additionally, the introduction of the Vande Bharat train service between Udhampur and Baramulla, set to launch on January 26, is expected to revolutionize travel in the region, fulfilling a long-held aspiration for locals involved in agriculture, trade, and education.
