Jammu, July 4,2023: Stating that the construction of a 1.08 k long, two-lane Ramban viaduct is completed, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari on Monday said that under visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi the government is committed in providing exceptional highway infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.
“in Jammu and Kashmir, we have completed the construction of a 1.08 k long, two-lane Ramban viaduct. This viaduct, built at a cost of ₹140 Crore, is situated on the Udhampur-Ramban section of NH-44,” Gadkari tweeted.
Additionally, he said that another two-Lane viaduct, running parallel to this structure, is nearing completion and will be opened soon.
“Under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, we remain unwavering in our commitment to providing Jammu and Kashmir with exceptional highway infrastructure,” he stated.
The Union Minister further said that this transformative development not only contributes to the region’s economic growth but also enhances its appeal as a premier tourist destination.
“The construction of this 26-span viaduct incorporates various structural arrangements utilizing concrete and steel girders,” he wrote on Twitter further adding that it serves a dual purpose, firstly, t relieves congestion in Ramban Bazar, ensuring smoother movement of vehicles, secondly, it facilitates the seamless passage of vehicles and pilgrim traffic during the annual Amarnath Yatra on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway 44.
Notably, on April 11 this year, during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Gadkari addressing a press conference at Katra had said that though the deadline for the Delhi Amritsar-Katra Green Corridor ExpressWay is December 2024, but efforts will be made to complete the mega project before Parliamentary Elections to be held in May next year so that it can be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February-March next year.
He had said that the executing agency, NHAI has been asked to complete the work before the imposition of Code of Conduct so that it can be inaugurated before Lok Sabha elections.
The 670-kilometre, four-lane Delhi Amritsar-Katra Green Corridor ExpressWay is being constructed at the cost of Rs 40,000 crore.
Gadkari had also said that the developmental works worth Rs 1,30,000 crore are being taken up by MoRTH in Jammu and Kashmir and since 2014, around 500 km of road network has been completed in the region.
“Significant 41 tunnels are being constructed in J&K and Ladakh at a cost of Rs 45,000 crore, 18 ropeways worth Rs 5,000 crore will be constructed in the UT. The journey between Jammu and Srinagar three corridors worth Rs 35,000 crores are being constructed, which will reduce the earlier distance of 320 kms by 70 kms and time travel will be reduced from ten hours to four to five hours,” the Minister had said in the press conference.
Gadkari said, “with the development of state of the art road network across the country through every state and UT, the Kashmir to Kanyakumari will no longer be a dream for the people of India.”
