Umaisar Gull Ganie
Srinagar, Oct 05: In a monumental development, the construction of the, 4-lane (expandable to 8 lanes) Delhi-Amritsar-Katra expressway is advancing at an impressive pace, with the much-anticipated Jammu route set to open by September 2024.
Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), P. Siva Shanker, Regional Officer of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for the Jammu and Kashmir region said the expressway project comprises five segments.
“The stretch from Pathankot to Jammu is divided into three packages, with construction already underway on all of them. Simultaneously, the section from Jammu to Katra consists of two packages, one of which is in progress, while the last package is poised to commence shortly,” he said.
Shanker said that the Jammu leg of the expressway is expected to be accessible by September 2024, followed by the Katra segment in June 2025. “These milestones will dramatically enhance connectivity in the region. Another official said one of the most promising aspects of this project is its potential to cut travel distances significantly,” he said, adding that “the expressway will slash the journey between Delhi-Amritsar and Delhi-Chandigarh in half, bringing convenience and efficiency to countless travellers.”
Shanker said: “A significant reduction in travel distance is on the horizon for commuters between Delhi and Katra. The currently daunting 727-kilometer journey will be streamlined, cutting down to a mere 588 kilometres. This translates to a remarkable 150-kilometer reduction in the Delhi-Katra route, promising quicker and more efficient travel for all,” he said.
The official said Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, is poised to link Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir seamlessly and it will extend its connectivity to NH-44, ensuring a smooth journey all the way to Srinagar. “The entire expressway is expected to boost tourism,” he said—(KNO)
