Key safety, commuter facility works worth Rs 171.25 Cr on NH-44 in J&K completed: Nitin Gadkari

Jammu, Mar 13: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday asserted that in Jammu and Kashmir, key safety and commuter facility works on NH-44 with a total project cost of about Rs 171.25 Cr were completed.

Gadkari shared this information on social media with a collage of pictures depicting safety and commuter facilities created on and along Srinagar Jammu National Highway (NH 44).

“The initiatives include blackspot rectification at SIDCO Chowk and the Gole Mela–Sangoor stretch, construction of an LVUP with service roads at Samba, and development of modern wayside amenities at Jhajjar Kotli, Qazigund, and Marhama. These locations had been identified as accident-prone sections and high-conflict traffic points along the highway. The completed interventions improve traffic circulation, enable safer turning movements, and optimise road geometry, significantly enhancing safety while easing congestion,” Gadkari stated.

The wayside amenities developed along the corridor, the Union Minister pointed out, provided rest areas, parking facilities, food courts, and sanitation services for commuters, tourists, and truck drivers travelling on this vital route.

“These improvements will facilitate smoother and safer movement of passenger and freight traffic on NH-44, the crucial corridor connecting Jammu with the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country,” Gadkari said. He credited the Prime Minister for his visionary leadership while reiterating commitment to bolster highway infrastructure in J&K.

“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we remain committed to strengthening highway infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir to promote connectivity, economic growth, and tourism,” Gadkari asserted.

Gadkari’s posts elicited quick response from the Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, who too pointed out on social media that PM was giving high priority to development activities in UT. He also thanked Gadkari for bolstering road safety in J&K.

“With PM Narendra Modi giving high priority to development activities in Jammu and Kashmir, new dimensions are seen being added in each sector. Works worth about Rs 171.25 Cr, including blackspot rectification at the Gole Mela–Sangoor stretch in Udhampur district, along with improvements at Samba, Jhajjar Kotli, Qazigund and Marhama will significantly enhance road safety, traffic flow, and commuter convenience,” Dr Jitendra posted, while tanking Gadkari.

Union Minister of State in PMO said that such focussed interventions at accident-prone stretches would go a long way in ensuring safer highways and smoother connectivity for the people of the region.

“Thanks Union Minister @nitin_gadkari ji for strengthening road safety and commuter facilities along National Highway 44 in J&K,” Dr Jitendra posted.