In a boost to connectivity in the region, PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Jammu railway division virtually on Monday.
According to a statement, the Jammu railway division will fulfil the long-pending aspiration of the locals by improving their connectivity to other parts of India.
The new division will create employment opportunities, infrastructure development, promote tourism and lead to overall socio-economic development of the region, it said.
According to the release, it will comprise the following sections: Pathankot-Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla (423 route km), Bhogpur-Sirwal-Pathankot (87.21 route km), Batala (excluding)-Pathankot (68.17 route km) and Pathankot-Joginder Nagar (narrow gauge section, 163.72 route km).
The total length of these sections will be 742.1 km. With the creation of this division, the Railways will have 70 divisions under its 17 zones.The newly established division will oversee operations on India’s iconic rail projects, including the country’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge and the world’s highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River at Kauri.
The PM will also launch other railway projects via video conferencing, including environment-friendly Charlapalli New Terminal station in Telangana’s Medchal-Malkajgiri district, the statement said.
Meanwhile, the NHAI has completed construction of a four-lane stretch of the National Highway-44 bypassing Banihal town, which used to witness frequent traffic jams.
“In Jammu & Kashmir, we have successfully completed a 4-lane, 2.35 km bypass to Banihal town at a cost of `224.44 crore. Strategically located on the Ramban–Banihal section of NH-44, the bypass features 4 viaducts spanning 1,513 meters and 3 culverts, effectively addressing the persistent bottleneck caused by roadside markets and shops,” said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in his post on X.
“Initially, 2-lane traffic will be released and 4-lane traffic shall be released after junction development within 15 days,” he said.
“This critical infrastructure ensures unhindered traffic flow, significantly reducing travel time and congestion for both tourists and defense vehicles en route to the Kashmir Valley. Beyond improving regional connectivity, the bypass strengthens national security logistics and enhances tourism prospects in the region,” he said.
