Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has stated that key road safety and commuter facility projects worth approximately ₹171.25 crore have been completed on National Highway 44 in Jammu and Kashmir.
These projects include rectifying accident-prone blackspots at SIDCO Chowk and the Gole Mela–Sangoor stretch in the Udhampur district, constructing a Light Vehicular Underpass (LVUP) with service roads at Samba, and developing modern wayside amenities at Jhajjar Kotli, Qazigund, and Marhama.
These locations were identified as high-conflict traffic zones where frequent accidents and congestion were reported. The completed interventions aim to improve traffic circulation, enable safer turning movements, optimize road geometry, and ensure smoother flow of both passenger and freight vehicles.
Officials said the newly developed wayside amenities offer rest areas, parking spaces, food courts, and sanitation facilities, benefiting commuters, tourists, and truck drivers travelling along this vital corridor that connects Jammu with the Kashmir Valley and other parts of the country.
Union Minister of State, Jitendra Singh, stated that the targeted improvements at accident-prone stretches will significantly enhance road safety and commuter convenience. He added that strengthening highway infrastructure in the region will boost connectivity, tourism, and economic growth while ensuring safer travel for the public.