Sat Sharma flags delay in Jammu Akhnoor 4-lane road project, seeks timely completion

Jammu, Mar 10: J&K Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and Member of Parliament, Sat Sharma on Tuesday raised the issue of the persistent delay in the completion of the Jammu-Akhnoor four-lane road project in the Rajya Sabha during the zero hour, urging the Government of India to ensure its timely completion and strengthen monitoring of the execution process.

Raising the matter in the Upper House, Sat Sharma drew the attention of the government to the strategic and developmental importance of the project on National Highway 144A connecting Jammu with Akhnoor.

He emphasised that the project was a key component of the historic Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) for Jammu and Kashmir announced by Narendra Modi in November 2015, which envisaged more than Rs 80,000 Cr for 63 transformative development projects aimed at accelerating infrastructure and economic growth in the Union Territory.

Sat Sharma informed the House that the Rs 917 Cr Jammu-Akhnoor road project, implemented by National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), aimed to upgrade about 26 kilometres of the NH-144A stretch into a modern four-lane highway, providing safe, smooth and reliable connectivity between Jammu city and the strategically significant border town of Akhnoor.

Highlighting the concern over the slow pace of work, Sharma noted that the project, which was originally targeted for completion by mid-2021, remained unfinished despite multiple deadline extensions. Referring to official information presented in Parliament, he said that only limited stretches of the corridor were completed so far, leading to substantial delays and escalation in project costs.

The BJP leader stressed, “Akhnoor holds immense strategic importance as it houses the headquarters of the Indian Army’s 10th Infantry Division and lies close to the international border. The road also serves as a crucial connectivity corridor linking Jammu to the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch along the Line of Control, making it an essential defence and logistics route in addition to its importance for civilian movement.”

BJP MP from J&K further pointed out that thousands of daily commuters, including students, patients and pilgrims travelling to the revered shrine of Shiv Khori Shrine, depended on this road.

“However, incomplete stretches, unfinished bridges, poor road surface conditions and inadequate drainage have increased travel time and raised safety concerns for the public,” he noted with concern.

While acknowledging the proactive role of the Government of India in taking note of the issues, Sat Sharma urged that stronger accountability mechanisms, faster construction of pending bridges and enhanced monitoring systems be implemented to ensure that the revised deadline of March 2026 is met without further delay.

Reaffirming the BJP’s commitment to the development of Jammu and Kashmir, Sat Sharma said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, infrastructure development across the Union Territory witnessed unprecedented momentum. He stated that projects like the Jammu-Akhnoor four-lane highway were vital for improving connectivity, boosting economic growth, strengthening national security and enhancing the quality of life for the people of the region.

Sat Sharma expressed confidence that with the continued dedication of the Modi Government towards inclusive development across India, the long-awaited project would soon be completed and delivered on the promise of world-class infrastructure for the people of Jammu.