Srinagar, Oct 1: The proposed 7.82-km Sadhna Tunnel on the Kupwara-Karnah road awaits alignment approval, while the approximately 10-km Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel has reached the bidding stage, the government told the Legislative Assembly.
The update came in response to a question by Congress MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone on the status of the proposed tunnels and steps being taken for their timely execution.
Project BEACON is executing the Sadhna Tunnel.
The government said compliance with observations made by the Additional Director General (Tunnel), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), during a June 17-19 site visit was submitted to the ministry on September 9.
“Approval of the alignment was awaited, following which the Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be prepared,” the government said.
The project’s execution timeline will be determined after MoRTH approves the DPR.
The tunnel is intended to provide all-weather connectivity to the Karnah-Tangdhar sector, reducing winter disruptions on the avalanche-prone route.
The government said that the Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel project is at the bidding stage.
The stipulated completion period is 5 years from the appointed date.
The tunnel will bypass Sinthan Top, providing an all-weather link between south Kashmir and the Chenab Valley and an alternative to the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
It forms part of the NH-244 corridor linking Anantnag with Kishtwar, Batote, and Chenani.
The corridor also includes the 4.5-km Sudhmahadev-Dranga tunnel, for which NHIDCL has floated a separate tender.
The government also gave the Assembly a status update on road projects in the Gulmarg-Baramulla belt.
The DPR for the Baba Reshi-Gulmarg Road, from Chontwari via Baba Reshi to Gulmarg, has been prepared at an estimated Rs 40.34 crore.
“The proposed alignment passes through dense forest areas and requires forest clearance and assured funding,” it said.
The government said the Hajibal-Gratbal-Daji-Baba Reshi Road has been macadamised during the current financial year under the Cities and Towns Programme.
“The DPR for the proposed Cherry Valley Road will be prepared once funding is assured and forest clearance obtained,” it said.
On the Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (JKERA), the government said the World Bank-funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) was physically completed on August 31, 2026.
Financial closure is scheduled to continue until December 31, 2026, while JKERA is maintaining details of externally aided projects, ongoing sub-projects, and available human resources.
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