Road projects worth Rs two lakh crore being implemented in J&K: Gadkari

New Delhi, Srinagar: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the road infrastructure projects worth Rs two lakh crore are being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir, which will boost the connectivity in the region.
Replying to supplementaries during question hour in the Lok Sabha, Nitin Gadkari said, “The government is working in converting 25,000 km National Highways into four lanes from two lanes in the next two years.”
He informed that around 70 per cent of the work of Asia’s longest tunnel – Zojila Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir has been completed.
He added that the project which will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh is being constructed at a cost of over 5500 crore rupees.
Zojila Tunnel Project consists of construction of a tunnel of more than 13 kilometers and approaching roads to a tunnel of length over 17 kilometers, totaling a total length of over 30 kilometers.
Speaking about the other road infrastructure in union territory, he said that 105 tunnels are also being built in Jammu and Kashmir to further improve the connectivity.
The Minister informed that the work related to 22 tunnels have been completed and another 14 tunnels are being constructed by the Border Road organisation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, Congress MP Manish Tewari moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to suspend the regular business of the House to discuss concerns regarding alleged aberrations in the higher judiciary.
In the notice, he alleged that aberrations in the judiciary have raised concerns within the legal community and among citizens across the country. However, Lok Sabha Chairman Om Birla rejected the adjournment notices, saying Opposition MPs had sought a discussion on ‘unusual activities’ in the judiciary.