220 km Jammu-Poonch Highway will be completed btw2025-27:GoI

SRINAGAR: The Government of India Friday informed that construction work of strategically located 220 km Jammu-Poonch Highway will be completed in a phased manner between 2025 and 2027.
Member of Parliament Anantnag-Rajouri Mian Altaf Ahmad raised the question whether it’s a fact that the construction work of the strategically located 220 km Jammu-Poonch highway is going on at a sluggish pace; if so, the reasons therefor; whether it is not fact that due to the sluggish pace of construction work of Jammu-Poonch highway general public of Hilly districts of Rajouri and Poonch suffer badly; if so, the reasons therefor.
In reply to the question, Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence Sanjay Seth informed that the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H) has taken up the development of the 168 km-long Akhnoor-Poonch Highway of NH-144A to a 2-lane with paved shoulder In configuration, including four tunnels (involving about 4.85 km length) in eight construction packages.
The Border Roads Organization (BRO) is the executing agency for this project. So far, about 83 km of road have been constructed. The minister informed that these works are targeted for completion in a phased manner between 2025 and 2027.
He added that the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has developed a 30 km stretch of NH-144A between Jammu and Akhnoor in four construction packages. So far, work on the 5.2 km length has been completed. Works in the remaining three packages are targeted for completion by March 2026.
The minister informed that both BRO and NHIDCL ensure regular maintenance of the highway in traffic-worthy conditions for the safe movement of vehicles, commuters, and the general public of the districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
MP Mian Altaf also asked whether the Border Roads Organisation has taken any steps to complete the construction work as soon as possible, and if so, what the details are.
MoS Ministry of Defence informed that BRO's steps towards implementing the project without further delays include regular follow-ups and close coordination with concerned departments and authorities of the Union Territory (UT) on outstanding issues. MoRT&H also closely monitors various issues affecting the completion of these projects (e.g., land acquisition, encroachment removal, law and order issues, utility shifting, various clearances, and contractual issues) with all stakeholders, including the UT Government.
MoS said regular meetings with concerned UT officials at the local/district/UT level are held as per requirements based on the criticality of the issues.

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