Jammu, January 5: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has announced the completion of a state-of-the-art 4-lane, 2.35 km bypass for Banihal town on the Ramban–Banihal section of National Highway 44. The bypass, constructed at a cost of ₹224.44 crore, is set to be fully operational for 4-lane traffic within the next 15 days.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gadkari highlighted the bypass’s strategic significance, stating: “The 4-lane, 2.35 km bypass features 4 viaducts spanning 1,513 meters and 3 culverts, addressing the long-standing bottlenecks caused by roadside markets and shops in Banihal town.” He further mentioned that initially, 2-lane traffic will be allowed, with full 4-lane operations commencing after the completion of junction development within two weeks.
The bypass is expected to significantly reduce congestion and travel time for tourists and defense vehicles traveling to the Kashmir Valley. Beyond easing traffic flow, this critical infrastructure bolsters regional connectivity, enhances national security logistics, and unlocks new tourism opportunities in Jammu & Kashmir.
With its completion, the bypass marks another step in the Union government’s commitment to modernizing road infrastructure in the region, promising both economic growth and improved access for locals and visitors alike.
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