The Central Government has approved the construction of a new two-lane tunnel alongside the existing Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel on the Chenani–Nashri section of National Highway 44 in Jammu and Kashmir. The project aims to enhance connectivity, ease traffic congestion, and improve travel efficiency along the strategically important Jammu–Srinagar highway corridor.
Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh announced the approval, describing it as a major infrastructure development for the Udhampur region. He stated that the project will strengthen regional mobility and support the growing transportation demands of the area. The proposal has received support from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) after considering rising traffic volumes on the route.
The upcoming tunnel will be constructed parallel to the existing 9.28-km Chenani–Nashri Tunnel, inaugurated in 2017. Located at an altitude of around 1,200 metres, the tunnel serves as a critical all-weather road link between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India.
Upon completion, the parallel tunnel project is expected to increase traffic capacity, reduce travel time, improve road safety, and enhance operational efficiency. The initiative marks another significant step in strengthening transportation infrastructure and supporting economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
