Cabinet clears four-laning of Jammu-Srinagar highway

New Delhi, Feb 25 : The government Thursday approved implementation of projects for four-laning of the mountainous Jammu-Srinagar National Highway 1A - the only road link to the Kashmir Valley which is extremely vulnerable to inclement weather.

With this, the Kashmir Valley will get all-weather connectivity. Besides, the journey time from Jammu to Srinagar and strategic border areas in the state will also be reduced.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The total project cost is estimated at Rs.9,377.46 crore. "The concession period is for 20 years, including a construction period of three to five years," an official statement said.

The main object of the project is to expedite the improvement of infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, the statement said.

"The major impact of the project lies in reducing the time and cost of travel of the traffic running between Srinagar to Banihal, Qazigund to Banihal, Ramban to Banihal, Udhampur to Ramban, Chenani to Nashri and Jammu to Udhampur sections," the statement added.

"The project will be highly beneficial for development of road infrastructure and tourism in the state. It will also increase the potential of employment to local labourers for the project activities."