A view of the newly constructed four-lane, 2.35-kilometre bypass to Banihal town, in Ramban on January 5, 2025.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday (January 5, 2024) described the completion of a portion of the Banihal Bypass in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district as a milestone in strengthening “national security logistics” and enhancing “tourism prospects of the region”.
Taking to X, Mr. Gadkari announced the completion of the four-lane stretch of 2.35-km to Banihal town at a cost of ₹224.44 crore. Strategically located on the Ramban–Banihal section of NH-44, it effectively addresses the persistent bottlenecks caused by roadside markets and shops, Mr. Gadkari said.
He said two-lane traffic will be allowed initially and four-lane traffic will be permitted after “junction development” within 15 days.
The Union Minister said this critical infrastructure ensures unhindered traffic flow, significantly reducing travel time and congestion for both tourists and defence 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 added.
The NH-44 is a major highway in India. The longest in the country, it stretches from Srinagar in the north to Kanniyakumari in the south. The Centre has embarked on a major mission in J&K to ensure that the NH-44 remains an all-weather road connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country. Travel time on the 290-km-long Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, which is part of NH-44, has reduced from nine hours to around six hours after significant upgrades such as tunnels.
A view of the newly constructed four-lane, 2.35-kilometre bypass to Banihal town, in Ramban on January 5, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
ANI
However, the national highway passing through tough mountains of the Ramban district posed a major challenge in the face of slopping ridges and congested roads, especially in Banihal area. Multiple tunnels, including the critical Marog-Digdol and Digdol-Khuni-Nallah, are in the final stages to ensure seamless traffic on the highway. Most accidents and road damage have been witnessed on the stretch between Marog and Khuni-Nallah points in Ramban, especially in winters.
The opening of the Banihal Bypass will now allow travellers to cross the district without taking the congested road of the Banihal town. Critical stopovers like Nashri, Dalwas, Mehad, Cafeteria Morh and Panthial are covered in the district. It has a viaduct bypassing Banihal Bazar.
Upgradation of the 32-km stretch between Ramban and Banihal, which is under way, will further decrease travel time between Srinagar and Jammu, making the Kashmir Valley very easy to reach unlike in the past. Officials said the hilly stretch between Ramban and Banihal will have a 14-km tunnel “to bypass the treacherous points on the road”.
National Conference (NC) MLA Banihal Sajjad Shaheen inaugurated the single stretch of the bypass on Sunday. Terming it a landmark development for road users, including tourists and especially the residents of Banihal, he said the flyover was expected to decongest the town significantly, reduce travel times, and contribute to the region’s economic growth.
“This project, initiated under the leadership of late Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the National Conference-led government headed by then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in 2010, and later carried forward by the present regime under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reflects a shared commitment to progress and development,” Mr. Shaheen said.
Expressing gratitude to the National Highways Authority of India (NHIA), the MLA proposed naming the Banihal-Qazigund Tunnel as Dr. Manmohan Singh Tunnel to honour the former Prime Minister’s visionary leadership in advancing infrastructure development. He also suggested naming the Banihal Bypass Bridge as Sher-e-Kashmir Bridge to commemorate Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s pivotal contributions to J&K’s history and progress.
Published – January 05, 2025 10:07 pm IST
