Twin Digdol-Khooni Nullah road tunnels near completion

Ramban, Nov 30: Major progress has been recorded on the four-laning project of the Srinagar Jammu National Highway (NH-44), with multiple tunnel-works between Magarkote and Digdol entering their final stages.

Officials associated with the project confirmed that out of three key tunnels on this stretch, two are nearing completion.

According to Prakash Mani, Tunnel Construction Manager (TCM) of Sarla Construction Company, engaged by NHAI, the twin tunnels T3 and T4 between Khooni Nullah and Digdol, considered one of the most challenging and accident-prone segments of the Ramban–Banihal section, are almost ready.

“Paver and final lining work inside both tubes is currently underway, and the progress is on a fast-track basis,” Mani said.

Construction of the twin tunnels began simultaneously in 2022. Once opened to traffic, they are expected to bypass the hazardous curves between Khooni Nullah and Digdol, improving road safety and ensuring smoother vehicular movement.

Officials estimate that the new alignment will shorten the existing route by nearly six kilometers, reducing travel time and easing congestion on the busy corridor.

An official from the construction company also confirmed that work on the second tube of the Magarkote–Panthyal tunnel was progressing steadily. However, he acknowledged that the project earlier faced delays due to continuous torrential rains.

“The work was hampered for almost three months as repeated landslides and road blockades between Lakhanpur and Ramban disrupted the supply of essential materials like cement and iron,” he said.

Despite these challenges, authorities remain confident that the projects will meet the revised deadlines. Upon completion, the enhanced infrastructure is expected to significantly improve connectivity along the crucial Srinagar Jammu National Highway by eliminating bottlenecks and minimising traffic jams.

Tunnel and bridge construction is in full swing along Ramban–Banihal section of National Highway 44.

Construction activities on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway continues at a swift pace across multiple locations between Ramban and Banihal, where several tunnels and bridges are being constructed to streamline movement and cut down travel time.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has already completed four-laning on two key stretches — Banihal to Kishtwari Pathar and Maroog to Nashri except Mehad-Cafeteria Morh tunnel.

However, traffic continues to ply on the 15 kms under-construction lanes between Ramsoo, Magarkote, Khooni Nullah, Digdol, and Battery Chashma, where major works remain underway.

NHAI has assigned the ongoing projects to various construction agencies, including Sarla Construction Company, which is handling significant tunnel construction between Magarkote and Digdol.

Providing updates, company officer Mani said, “The Magarkote–Panthyal tunnel is around 600 metres long. The one tube from Digdol to Khooni Nullah tunnel 3-km-long tube is expected to be completed and opened to the public within the next two to three months.”

Another 2.5-km-long tunnel from Khooni Nullah to Digdol is also under construction and at final stage.

He added that the completion of these tunnels would make travel significantly smoother while reducing the overall road distance on the highway.

The union government, he said, was focussed on ensuring that commuters faced minimal inconvenience along this vital national corridor.