JAMMU AND POONCH

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to enhance connectivity in the Jammu and Poonch regions. This achievement comes as part of the upgradation project of National Highway 144A, a vital and strategically important road stretch in Jammu and Kashmir.

2. Origin of NH 144A

NH 144A, a double-lane road, originates in Jammu and extends through Rajouri and Poonch districts. This road project was granted national highway status (NH 144A) by the central government in 2015, serving as a critical route for the Akhnoor sub-division and a part of Reasi district.

3. The Significance of Upgradation

• The upgradation of National Highway 144A is a crucial infrastructure development project, aimed at transforming the existing two-lane road into a four-lane highway.
• The upgradation will substantially improve all-weather road connectivity for residents in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, as well as parts of Jammu and Reasi districts.
• It is expected to drive socio-economic growth in these regions, including the Pir Panjal area, which encompasses the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
• This improved highway will significantly expedite the movement of defense vehicles along the Line of Control, strengthening the region's security.
• Travel time between Poonch-Rajouri and Jammu will be reduced from the current 6-7 hours to just 4.5 hours.
• Additionally, road widening is seen as a long-overdue demand from local residents, considering the surge in vehicular traffic and road accidents.

4. Executing the Project

The National Highway upgradation project has been divided among two key executing agencies:

• National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is responsible for the four-laning of the highway from Jammu to Akhnoor. This segment includes the construction of a 4.6-kilometer flyover between Jammu city's Canal Head to Muthi. This stretch of the project is nearing completion.
• Border Roads Organisation (BRO) The remaining work, spanning from Akhnoor to Poonch, is undertaken by BRO under Project Sampark. Due to its mountainous terrain and sharp curves, this section of the highway will include four tunnels, effectively reducing the road length by 32 kilometers and travel time to 4.5 hours.

5. Project Breakdown

The road-widening efforts from Akhnoor to Rajouri and further on to Poonch have been structured into eight packages, which include the construction of tunnels, bypasses, and road upgrades. The division of the project is as follows:

• Package 1: From Akhnoor to Chowki Choura, featuring a 260-meter-long Kandi tunnel.
• Package 2: From Chowki Choura to Bhamla, with ongoing work on a 2.78-kilometer tunnel at Sungal.
• Package 3: From Bhamla to Bakhar, including a 4-kilometer bypass.
• Package 4: From Bakhar to Nowshera, passing through various towns and areas.
• Package 5: From Nowshera to Kallar, involving a new bridge and a 0.700-kilometer tunnel.
• Package 6: From Kallar to Dhari Dhara, passing through several regions and featuring a 2.7-kilometer bypass.
• Package 7: From Dhari Dhara to Bhatadhurian, which includes a 15-kilometer new road and a 1.1-kilometer tunnel at Bhatadhurian.
• Package 8: From Bhatadurian to Poonch Police Lines, covering various towns and areas.

While substantial progress has been made in widening the road from Akhnoor to Rajouri, work on the Poonch district portion is yet to commence.

6. Conclusion

This comprehensive road upgradation project will undoubtedly have far-reaching positive implications for the region, promoting better connectivity, safety, and economic development. The project is aligned with the Prime Minister's Development Package, announced in November 2015, to support the reconstruction and development of Jammu and Kashmir.