Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation for an ambitious and strategically crucial Katra-Kulgam road project, which once completed will provide the shortest route between Srinagar and Jammu, is currently underway.
Following a go-ahead by the Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highway (MoRTH), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had invited bids from consultancy firms to prepare DPR for this proposal in May this year, thus marking commencement of planning, feasibility, alignment and all related aspects.
The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 20,000 Cr, may take 5-7 years for its completion.
As per e-procurement portal, categorised as an open consultancy tender for DPR preparation, it (tender) was issued by NHAI regional office under reference number JKDIV/14/2025-NHAI-RO Jammu/E 290669.
Technical bids for DPR tender for this proposed 4-laning of Katra-Reasi-Mahore-Gulabgarh-Nandimarg-Kulgam were opened in June, 2026.
“This project will be basically an extension of the ongoing Katra-Jammu-Amritsar-Delhi Expressway to Srinagar. Under this project, we’re planning to smooth out the Reasi-Mahore route. Beyond it, between Mahore and Nandimarg, there will be a long tunnel of around 7-8 kms (as part of Katra-Kulgam axis) to reach Kulgam. From Kulgam, the corridor will touch the existing National Highway (NH-44) to Srinagar,” shared National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) project director Jammu, Rajiv Kumar, while responding to Greater Kashmir queries.
“This proposed road project is currently under Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation. Once developed, Katra-Kulgam corridor is expected to provide the shortest road connectivity to the Kashmir valley from the Jammu side. The distance between Jammu to Srinagar, through this axis, will be between 180 to 190 kms,” he informed.
When asked about further details about the proposed corridor, Rajiv Kumar maintained that the project was currently in a very nascent stage.
“So far, we have only marked an alignment as for its DPR, we have got a go ahead from the MoRTH. The details about the number of tunnels, viaducts and their length will be available only, once DPR is finally ready. The 67-km Reasi-Mahore road stretch will be reduced to 30-35 kms. Since it has many gradients, two to three tunnels and 2-3 viaducts will be introduced at this axis. From Mahore to Kulgam, the distance is hardly 45-kms,” NHAI project director Jammu stated.
“The proposed Katra-Kulgam road project is currently under Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation. Once developed, the corridor is expected to provide the shortest road connectivity to the Kashmir valley from the Jammu side,” it was stated.
The corridor, bypassing landslide-prone Ramban stretch, once completed, is also likely to improve connectivity access for Vaishnodevi pilgrims in Reasi district as well.
Separately, six tunnels on various highway projects (on NH-44) in Jammu and Kashmir are expected to be completed in the coming year, further strengthening all-weather connectivity in the region. Four-laning of the existing National Highway-44 (NH-44) -a key connectivity corridor- is nearing completion, with around 15 km remaining to be four-laned.
The use of tunnels on the highway corridor has already reduced the road distance to Srinagar by around 45 km and saved more than an hour of travel time. The earlier road distance was around 300 km.
A total of 22 projects with a combined length of 382 km have been completed at a cost of Rs 14,819 Cr, while 16 projects covering 320 km are under implementation at an estimated cost of Rs 22,277 Cr.
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