Sir,
This has reference to the news item ‘Gadkari announces upgradation of Khellani tunnel into 2-lane structure’ DE Sept 4, 2023, the recent announcement by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, regarding the upgrade of the Uni-Directional Khellani tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir (JK) is poised to bring substantial benefits to the region’s general population.
This transformation involves converting the tunnel into a two-lane structure and enhancing its approach road on National Highway-244, which is part of the Sudh Mahadev-Goha-Khellani-Chatroo-Khanabal National Highway.
The project serves as an alternate route to Batote-Kishtwar, ensuring all-weather connectivity to the Doda region while reducing the distance between Doda and Kishtwar by 30 kilometers.
This initiative, spanning 2.419 kilometers within Package 3, is a monumental step towards year-round accessibility for the people of Doda and Kishtwar. It promises to stimulate the local economy and improve the lives of residents in the area, contributing to the development of a trouble-free and environmentally conscious transportation network in JK.
These projects collectively aim to transform the region’s connectivity and infrastructure.
The Sudh Mahadev-Goha-Khellani-Chatroo-Khanabal National Highway will be a game changer for the hilly district of Doda, which often faces road closures during adverse weather conditions. This new all-weather highway will ensure year-round connectivity to both Doda and Kishtwar districts with the rest of the Jammu region and Kashmir, effectively eliminating the problem of isolation during monsoon rains and winter snowfalls.
Furthermore, the extended National Highway will link important religious sites like Sudh Mahadev and Mantalai, giving a significant boost to religious tourism in the Jammu region. It will also shorten the travel distance between Jammu and Doda/Kishtwar, benefiting commuters and travelers alike.
The potential for tourism in Bhaderwah will be unleashed once the National Highway is completed, as it will provide improved road connectivity to the entire Doda belt. Overall, these initiatives represent a substantial leap towards ensuring the well-being and prosperity of the people of JK, and similar projects in the future have the potential to further enhance the quality of life in the union territory.
Amit Sharma
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