Srinagar, Apr 14: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari for their support and approval of the Sudhmahadev-Dranga and Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel projects on NH-244.

CM Omar said that these vital infrastructure projects would significantly strengthen connectivity, ensure all-weather access, and accelerate economic growth across the Chenab Valley and adjoining regions.

The Government of India has approved the construction of the uni-directional twin-tube Sudhmahadev-Dranga Tunnel (12.85 km, including 2-lane plus paved shoulder approaches) and the twin-tube Singhpora-Vailoo Tunnel (38.61 km, including 2-lane plus paved shoulder approaches) on NH-244 in J&K at an estimated total cost of Rs 9779.42 crore.

Recalling his earlier intervention, the CM said that in June last year, he had written to the Prime Minister and the Union Minister highlighting delays in the projects and seeking their urgent consideration.

He had urged that the projects be taken up under the NH (O) scheme of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on priority to ensure their timely completion in line with the broader vision for the development of J&K and the nation.

In his communication, CM Omar had also expressed concern that while other NH projects on NH-244 were progressing under NHIDCL, delays in these two critical tunnels were impeding the expected socio-economic benefits for the Chenab Valley region and hindering its efforts to overcome economic backwardness.