Delays plague Jammu-Poonch Highway construction
*Completion now targeted for 2027
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 29: The construction of the strategically vital Jammu-Poonch National Highway (NH-144A) has encountered significant delays, much to the inconvenience of residents in the hilly districts of Rajouri and Poonch. The Government of India acknowledged these setbacks in the Lok Sabha in response to a query raised by Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmad.
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Replying to the query, Minister of State (MoS) in Ministry of Defence, Sanjay Seth said, “The Highway project, which spans a total of 220 kilometers, is being executed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). Of the 168-km stretch between Akhnoor and Poonch managed by the BRO, only 83 km has been completed so far. This segment, which includes four tunnels totaling 4.85 km, has been divided into eight construction packages. The remaining work is scheduled for phased completion between 2025 and 2027”.
Meanwhile, the NHIDCL is responsible for constructing a 30-km segment between Jammu and Akhnoor, divided into four packages. To date, only 5.2 km of this section has been completed. The rest is expected to be finished by March 2026. These delays have caused considerable challenges for commuters and residents of Rajouri and Poonch, who rely on the highway as a lifeline for travel and transportation.
The Highway is essential for enhancing connectivity and facilitating economic development in the region. However, the sluggish pace of construction has left the population grappling with poor infrastructure and difficult travel conditions in the mountainous terrain. The lack of progress has also raised concerns about the timely completion of this crucial project, which is expected to play a pivotal role in regional integration and socio-economic upliftment.
The MoS said in response to the delays, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H) and BRO have implemented several measures to expedite the project. These include regular coordination with local authorities and the Union Territory administration to address issues such as land acquisition, removal of encroachments, and utility shifting. Monitoring mechanisms have also been enhanced, with frequent meetings involving stakeholders and district officials to identify and resolve critical bottlenecks.
To mitigate immediate challenges, traffic management strategies are being employed to ensure the highway remains traffic-worthy for safe vehicular movement. Regular maintenance is being carried out to improve road conditions temporarily while construction continues.
The Minister also cited challenges such as law and order issues and disputes with contractors as contributing factors to the delays. Efforts are underway to resolve these obstacles to prevent further extensions to the project timeline. The Government has assured that it is prioritizing the completion of the highway, recognizing its importance to the region’s connectivity and development.
Once completed, the Jammu-Poonch Highway is expected to provide a significant boost to the economic prospects of Rajouri and Poonch. It will improve access to essential services, reduce travel time, and facilitate the movement of goods and people. However, the extended timeline for completion has left residents frustrated as they continue to navigate the difficulties posed by an unfinished infrastructure project.
The Government’s renewed focus on addressing the delays offers hope, but the prolonged wait underscores the challenges of executing large-scale infrastructure projects in complex terrains.
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