Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, announced that the Inter Modal Station (IMS) to be established in Katra will be a world-class, state-of-the-art project designed to enhance the travel experience of pilgrims visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The announcement was made during a media interaction at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Spiritual Growth Centre in Katra.
Developmental Works in J&K Worth Rs 1,30,000 Crore
During the interaction, Shri Gadkari informed that developmental works worth Rs 1,30,000 crore are being taken up by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in Jammu and Kashmir. Since 2014, around 500 km of road network has been completed in the region. He also mentioned that 41 significant tunnels are being constructed in J&K and Ladakh at a cost of Rs 45,000 crore, and 18 ropeways worth Rs 5,000 crore will be built in the Union Territory.
New Corridors to Reduce Jammu-Srinagar Travel Time
The Minister also shared information about three corridors worth Rs 35,000 crore being constructed between Jammu and Srinagar, which will reduce the earlier distance of 320 kms by 70 kms. Consequently, the travel time will be reduced from ten hours to just four to five hours.
Rs 5,300 Crore Amarnath Marg for Pilgrims’ Convenience
Shri Gadkari announced the construction of a 110 km long Amarnath Marg, leading to the holy Amarnath cave in Pahalgam, at a cost of around Rs 5,300 crore. This project aims to provide convenience to pilgrims going to the Shri Amarnath Shrine.
Kashmir to Kanyakumari: A Connected India
The Minister emphasized that with the development of a state-of-the-art road network across the country, through every state and Union Territory, the dream of connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari will become a reality for the people of India.
Banihal Ramban Highway: A Hub for Lavender Cultivation
Dr. Jitendra Singh, who was also present during the media interaction, said that the Banihal Ramban Highway stretch would become the hub of lavender cultivation, giving rise to Agri-tech startups.
The event was attended by Dr. V K Singh, MoS MoRTH, Lieutenant Governor J&K, Shri Manoj Sinha, and Secretary MoRTH, Alka Upadhyay.