Breakthrough achieved in strategic Nowshera tunnel

Jammu, January 28

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has achieved a breakthrough in the strategic Nowshera tunnel work which will reduce considerably the distance between Jammu and Poonch districts, located along the Line of Control (LoC). The Jammu-Poonch road, also called the Golden Arc road, is a very old and strategic 200-km stretch that connects the volatile Poonch district with Jammu. It connects the important border districts of Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch. There are four major tunnels on this stretch — Kandi, Sungal, Nowshera and Bhimber Gali.

“The construction of the pivotal infrastructure project — National Highway144-A, connecting Akhnoor in Jammu to Poonch, reached a significant milestone as the breakthrough ceremony for the Nowshera tunnel has taken place. The tunnel spanning 700 metres is a crucial link,” an official spokesperson said.

Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, Director General, BRO, attended the ceremony, underscoring the importance of this project, signifying a major step forward in enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating smoother transportation along the highway.

“On November 25 last year, the Kandi tunnel project saw the breakthrough. The highway project is expected to be completed by 2026 before its specified time,” the spokesperson informed.

During his address, Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan mentioned that the BRO had been spearheading crucial road projects to connect remote areas with major centres in the Jammu-Poonch region.

The Jammu-Poonch link, advancing rapidly, is on track for completion in the next few years. On being asked about defence infrastructure along LoC, the BRO DG mentioned that development of defence infrastructure has been a continuous process and the BRO is committed towards strengthening of defence infrastructure by building and upgrading strategic roads all along the international border, the LoC and the LAC. “The BRO’s Project Sampark is steadfast in its commitment to create, connect, care and save lives of the citizens of its area of responsibility. It believes in the adage ‘Roads Build Nation’. It re-dedicated itself to the construction of border roads infrastructure to spur socio-economic progress,” he added.

Major success

• Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, Director General, BRO, terms it a major step forward in enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating smoother transportation along the highway.
• Spanning an impressive 700 metres, the tunnel is a crucial link connecting Akhnoor and Poonch.