Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 1: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Regional office Jammu today announced the successful completion of several major highway infrastructure projects along the NH-44 corridor during the year 2025 and outlined some key projects scheduled for completion in the year 2026.
A spokesperson of the NHAI said that during 2025, significant progress was achieved on the Pathankot-Jammu section of NH-44. At Nanake Chak, Samba, the longstanding two-lane road under bridge at kilometer 69+422 was widened to a four-lane configuration by constructing additional lanes beneath the railway line, addressing a project that had been pending since 2009.
The damaged five-span two-lane bridge across the Tarnah River on NH-44 between Pathankot and Jammu was reconstructed to restore seamless connectivity. As part of corridor efficiency improvement works on the Lakhanpur-Samba stretch, a distressed narrow bridge was fully reconstructed over a length of 215 metres to enhance traffic flow and safety.
Further on the Jammu-Srinagar section of NH-44, the Banihal Bypass, spanning approximately 2.35 kms was completed, including the construction of a long viaduct structure that effectively eases traffic congestion around Banihal town and contributes to smoother movement on this critical mountain corridor. The tunnel and viaduct works addressing geological sliding and slip zones between Nashri and Ramban were successfully completed along a stretch of 2.2 kilometres, improving resilience and all-weather connectivity.
Looking ahead to 2026, several important infrastructure projects are progressing on schedule. In the Pathankot-Jammu section, the construction of 13 underpasses and flyovers along the Lakhanpur-Jammu corridor of NH-44/NE-05 is expected to be completed, enhancing connectivity and reducing conflict points. Blackspot rectification works at SIDCO Samba, including the construction of one major bridge and its approaches, are likely to be finished by March 2026.
The Hiranagar Bypass to Balsua section, forming part of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway (Package-14), is also slated for completion this year. The Jammu Ring Road, extending approximately 53-55 kilometres, has been declared complete excluding tunnel portion as of January 1, 2026, and one tube of the Jammu Ring Road tunnel portion is targeted for completion prior to the commencement of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026.
On the Jammu-Srinagar section, the twin-tube tunnel between Digdol and Khuni Nallah in the Ramban-Banihal segment, measuring about 3.2 kilometres, is scheduled for completion by March 2026. The Srinagar Ring Road Phase-1, covering nearly 42.1 kilometres, is also expected to be constructed and ready for use by August 2026, spokesperson added.
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