When talking about one of the most culturally diverse and scenic places in India, Jammu Kashmir makes its place at the top of the list. With the ongoing unrest and the terror that often crowds this state, it isn’t surprising that the Central government of India is consistently working towards providing optimal protection and upliftment in the Union Territory.
With ongoing and upcoming Jammu Kashmir Megaprojects, many people living in and around the area have been curious to unfold more insights about the megaprojects. If you are one in that list of people, you have come to the right place. To increase tourism in Jammu Kashmir, India planned many projects for the State. These brand new development projects will increase connectivity to the Jammu Kashmir tourist places.
This article will explore some of the most popular ongoing, proposed, and upcoming Jammu Kashmir Megaprojects that you need to be aware of.
Top Upcoming Megaprojects in Jammu Kashmir 2024
1. Srinagar Metrolite
The Srinagar Metrolite, as the name suggests is a proposed light metro rail connectivity that’s set to streamline transportation for the natives and the tourists visiting the capacity city of Jammu and Kashmir, which is Srinagar.
The project is still in the planning stages, but it is likely to be completed by 2024. The proposed network will have two corridors:
- Corridor 1: Indira Nagar to HMT Junction (12.5 km)
- Corridor 2: Hazuri Bagh to Osmanabad (12.5 km)
There will be 24 stations in total, with 12 stations on each corridor. The trains will be three coaches long and will be able to carry up to 300 passengers. The Srinagar Metrolite is expected to cost ₹5,559 crore. The project is being funded by the Government of India and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
2. Reasi Railway Station
Reasi Railway Station is an under-construction railway station in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It will be located on the Jammu-Baramulla railway line, which is currently under construction. The station is estimated to be completed by early 2024.
According to the proposed design, the railway station will have two platforms and will be able to handle a larger amount of traffic. Not just that, the railway station is also reportedly going to have a variety of amenities, including a waiting hall, ticket counter, refreshment room, etc.
The station is also expected to play a major role in the development of tourism in the district. Reasi is home to several important religious and historical sites, including the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and the Trikuta Hills. The railway station will make it easier for tourists to reach these sites.
3. Delhi Amritsar Katra Expressway
The Delhi Amritsar Katra Expressway is a 670-kilometer-long (416 mi) expressway connecting Delhi to Katra in Jammu and Kashmir via Haryana and Punjab. It is a Greenfield expressway, meaning that it is being built on new land.
The expressway will have four lanes, which can be expanded to eight lanes in the future. It will be an access-controlled expressway, meaning that only vehicles with expressway passes will be allowed to use it.
It is expected to reduce the travel time between Delhi and Katra from 10 hours to 6 hours. Also, the expressway will boost the economy of the regions through which it passes, by promoting tourism and trade. It is being built by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at a cost of ₹40,000 crore.
4. Jammu Metrolite
Much like Srinagar Metrolite, even Jammu Metrolite is a proposed light rail transit, which will serve the area around Jammu, not only coming in handy for the native residents but for the tourists traveling there too.
The Housing and Urban Development Department of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir was the one that proposed the project and got approval for construction with a budget of Rs. 4825 crores in the first phase.
The metro line will cover a 23 km distance and have 2 lines and 22 stations in total. Besides the first approved phase, there will be a second phase for the construction and the entire project is estimated to be completed by 2026.
5. EMAAR Srinagar Mall
It is not every day that you hear about the “Mall of Srinagar” but reports suggest that the EMAAR Srinagar Mall is set to change the course of things. The mall is being constructed by UAE-based Emaar Group, which is the same group that constructed the Burj Khalifa.
The announcement of this upcoming mall project came about after the India-UAE investors’ meeting. According to reports, the mall will be constructed on an area of 10 lakh square feet area at Sempora, Srinagar, which is quite impressive, to say the least.
We don’t have much idea about the progress, land acquisition, and the potential deadline of the project yet. EMAAR Srinagar Mall is one of the most ambitious project among the all Jammu Kashmir Megaprojects.
6. AIIMS Vijaypur, Jammu
When talking about one of the leading medical colleges in India, AIIMS takes the top spot. AIIMS Vijaypur, Jammu became operational in 2021-22 and started with 50 MBBS students. It is located in the Samba district and is one of the 22 AIIMS institutes in India.
The construction of AIIMS Vijaypur began in 2016 and was completed in 2022. The institute was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 October 2022. The medical college is built on an area of 100 acres and has a capacity of 750 beds and around 62 MBBS student seats.
The main objective of the construction of AIIMS Vijaypur is to provide accessible and affordable treatment options to the people living in Jammu.
7. AIIMS Awantipora
Besides the established AIIMS in Vijaypur, another AIIMS hospital and medical college that’s currently under construction in Jammu and Kashmir is AIIMS, Awantipora. The official reports suggest that the completion of the construction of this establishment will be completed by December 2024.
Not just that, the Administrative Secretary of, the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department, Bhupinder Kumar has confirmed that they are planning to start academic training for the MBBS students after the construction to make way for more medical students.
The construction and completion of the project were initially delayed to some kind of security reasons but they have bounced back and it looks like the work on the building and the infrastructure of the hospital cum college will be over by 2024.
8. Z Morh Tunnel
Next up on the list is the Z Morh Tunnel, which is a 6.5 km 2-lane road tunnel between Gagangair and Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The reason why it is named “Z-shaped” is because the tunnel will be a replacement for the existing road in that route, which is shaped like a Z.
Since the road is quite avalanche-prone, people often find themselves stuck when the road gets stuck. The tunnel will provide a safe passageway for travelers.
The Z-Morh tunnel is being built using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM). This method is used for tunneling in difficult geological conditions. The tunnel is being excavated in a phased manner and is predicted to be completed by the end of the year. The completion of this tunnel will simplify connectivity between Ladakh and Srinagar.
9. Zojila Tunnel
While we are on the topic of tunnels, the next one on the list is the Zoji-la tunnel, which is another under-construction tunnel measuring 14.2 km in length. The tunnel will connect Kashmir Valley and Ladakh in the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
What’s fascinating about this tunnel is that it is built at a height of 3,528 meters (11,575 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest-located tunnels in the world. The deadline for the project is set to be 2026.
This strategic project will reportedly have a lot of impact on the connectivity and traveling experience for the people, especially providing all-weather connectivity, which is pretty much impossible now.
10. Kiru Hydro Electric Project
The Kiru Hydro Electric Project is a 624 MW hydroelectric power plant, which is currently under construction over the Chenub River.
The project is being looked over and executed by NHPC Limited and the main objective behind the project is the construction of a concrete gravity dam with a height of 130 meters and a length of 495 meters.
According to the final project proposal, the power plant will have four turbines with a capacity of 156 MW each and the entire project is reportedly going to be over by 2025. With the completion of the project, the locals will get access to clean and renewable electricity, which will help to reduce India’s dependence on fossil fuels. The project will also create jobs and boost the local economy.
11. Jammu Srinagar Semi Ring Road
Not many individuals are aware of this megaproject but it deserves a special mention. This is a four-lane road project, spanning a distance of 62.84 km, and is currently under construction. The project is being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India for a total budget of Rs. 3038 crore.
The JSSRR will start at Galander near Pampore town and end at Sumbal in Bandipora district. The road will bypass Srinagar city and provide a direct link between the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway.
The completion of this road project will not only reduce the traffic and congestion significantly, it will also improve connectivity and boost tourism and economic boost in the area.
12. USBRL Project
For those who aren’t aware or are confused, USBRL stands for Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project, which is an under-construction railway line that will span a distance of 345 km. The project has an estimated budget of Rs. 28,000 crore and is being done by the Northern Railway Construction Organization (NRCO).
Among all the ongoing, past, or upcoming railway projects in India, the USBRL project is one of the most challenging. Since the line will pass through the Himalayas, the construction will involve a lot of intricacies and precision.
The USBRL Project is estimated to be completed in 2024. Once completed, the project will provide a direct rail link between Jammu and Srinagar, the two largest cities in Jammu and Kashmir. The project will also improve connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India.
13. Anji Khad Cable Bridge
The Anji Khad Cable Bridge is the first cable-stayed rail bridge in India. If you have been curious to know more, let us break down the basics. It is an under-construction cable-stayed bridge connecting the Katra and Reasi sections of the Jammu–Baramulla railway line.
The bridge has a 290-meter main span at a height of 196 meters. The bridge’s main section has a length of 473.25 meters out of a total length of over 1,300 meters, alongside a 120-meter-long viaduct. The bridge lacks symmetry and will be supported by 96 cables anchored to a single pylon on the Reasi side.
The Anji Khad Cable Bridge was estimated to be completed by May 2024 and boost the tourism and job prospects for people in the area.
14. IIM Jammu
IIM is a public, autonomous business school and the one in Jammu has gained a lot of traction. It became operational in 2017 and offers a two-year Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) and a five-year Integrated Programme in Management (IPM). The institute also offers several executive education programs.
The selection process in this college is cutthroat and only the most qualified and talented students manage to secure their position in the college.
15. Jammu Ropeway Projects
A total of 18 ropeway projects are currently in progress in Jammu. The main purpose behind this is to make connectivity a lot simpler for the pilgrims who visit some of the high-altitude temples and shrines.
All of these ropeway projects are being executed under the Parvat Mala Scheme and will be taken care of by the National Highways Logistic Management Limited (NHLML). Also, the 18 ropeway projects will be built in 12 different districts.
So here is the some worth highlighting Jammu Kashmir Megaprojects 2024 that you have to aware of it. We hope that you got all the information about the Jammu Kashmir Megaprojects that are happening in this rapidly transforming state.
Conclusion
Jammu and Kashmir is undergoing consistent growth and development with projects that are happening under different niches. If you have been curious to know more about the ongoing and future Jammu Kashmir Megaprojects, we have sorted out the list for you.