Banihal bypass to strengthen national security logistics, enhance tourism in Kashmir: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari hails completion of Banihal Bypass in Jammu and Kashmir, enhancing security logistics and tourism prospects.

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.

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.