Speaking at the ceremony for the inauguration of the Z-Morh Tunnel, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari stated that his ministry was constructing four corridors in Jammu and Kashmir for Rs 5,000 crore.
Zojila Tunnel: A ₹6,800 crore engineering marvel! Spanning 13.14 km beneath the Himalayan pass, it connects Kashmir to Ladakh, ensuring all-weather travel and boosting development.#ZojilaTunnel #PragatiKaHighway #GatiShakti #BuildingTheNation#AllWeatherRoad pic.twitter.com/QZMy1drvUC
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) January 14, 2025
"We are working on a mission to make J&K developed and prosperous so that industries are established here, tourism increases, employment opportunities are created for the youth, and poverty is eradicated. With that view, we are developing the infrastructure in J&K," Gadkari said.
Which are the upcoming four corridors?
The four corridors include the 250 km Jammu-Udhampur, which costs Rs 16,000 crore. This corridor, comprising 33 tunnels (15 completed and 18 under construction), will be completed in December 2025. It will reduce travel by 70 km, saving five hours of journey time, and enhance trade and tourism.
The second corridor, Jammu-Chennai-Anantnag, will cover 202 km and incur an investment of Rs 14,000 crore. It includes five tunnels that will cut the distance by 68 km, with completion expected by December 2025. This corridor aims to improve connectivity between Jammu and Anantnag.
The third corridor involves Surankote-Shopian-Baramulla-Uri, spanning 303 km at a cost of Rs 10,000 crore, set to be completed by 2027. This project connects key locations across south and north Kashmir and will be beneficial for the armed forces.
The fourth corridor, stretching 203 km, will connect Jammu-Akhnoor-Surankote-Poonch and will cost Rs 5,000 crore. A detailed project report is currently under consideration, with strategic importance for the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
Gadkari also mentioned the Kathua-Basohli-Bhaderwah-Doda corridor, a four-lane, 250 km project costing Rs 3,400 crore.
"People from Punjab will be able to travel directly from Kathua to Srinagar without having to go to Jammu once it is completed," he said.
Furthermore, the Srinagar ring road, being constructed for Rs 7,200 crore, is a 104 km four-lane road scheduled for completion by this year-end. "People going to Gurez, Baramulla, or Ladakh will not have to enter Srinagar once this project is completed," he added.
Strategic Importance
In addition to these corridors, the government is constructing the Zojila Tunnel, Asia’s highest, offering all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh. The project, costing Rs 6,800 crore, will reduce travel time by 3.5 hours and keep the route open year-round.
The Kathua-Basohli-Bhaderwah-Doda corridor and the Srinagar Ring Road will further bolster transport infrastructure. These projects promise to cut travel times, enhance regional trade, and strengthen the region’s integration with the rest of India. By investing in infrastructure, the government seeks to unlock Jammu and Kashmir’s economic potential, bridging gaps and fostering prosperity.
