Jammu And Kashmir: Uni-Directional Khellani Tunnel To Be Upgraded To Two Lanes For Year-Round Accessibility

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced on Sunday (3 September) that the Khellani tunnel in Doda is currently being upgraded to have two lanes.

This upgrade is intended to improve accessibility in the area.

Gadkari, in a conversation with 'X', explained that the purpose of this upgrade is to enhance accessibility. He mentioned that in J-K, they are transforming the uni-directional Khellani tunnel into a two-lane structure with a paved shoulder. Additionally, they are also improving the approach road on NH-244.

This project spans a length of 2.419 kilometres and falls within Package 3.

National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) announced the completion of the excavation of the first tube of the Khellani tunnel in Doda district on 4 March 2023.

Work on the 1.574-kilometre tunnel, which began on 25 March 2021 and is expected to be completed this year only, was critical for the Sudhmahadev-Khambal project, according to NHIDCL.

The project, which costs more than Rs 431 crore when completed, will cut the distance between Doda and Kishtwar districts by 30 km.

The Khellani tunnel will bypass the slide-prone Batote-Pul Doda which has already been declared “unsafe” due to the reservoir of the Baglihar hydroelectric project.

The tunnel is a crucial component of the Sudhmahadev-Goha–Khellani-Chhatroo-Khanabal highway project which will shorten the distance between Doda and Kishtwar districts by 30 km besides providing an alternate all-weather road between Jammu and Srinagar.

Moreover, Gadkari emphasised that the upgraded tunnel will ensure year-round accessibility, which will greatly benefit the local economy.

The project in Jammu and Kashmir aims to achieve efficient, hassle-free, and environmentally friendly mobility, as stated by the Union minister, reports ANI.