Major Infrastructure Projects in J&K | 22 Oct 2024

Why in News?

The recent militant attack has put a spotlight on ongoing infrastructure projects in Jammu & Kashmir, with contractors assessing risks but not yet raising alarm.

Key Points

• Ongoing Mega Projects in J&K:
  • The Centre is executing 51 mega projects in Jammu & Kashmir, initially estimated at Rs 76,000 crore, but costs have risen by 56% to Rs 1.16 trillion, as per the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
  • Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL):
    • It is a Rs 42,500 crore project and connects Kashmir Valley with India, stalled since 1995. It features the world’s highest rail bridge over the Chenab River, crucial for regional integration, economic growth, and defense mobility.
  • J&K Rail Link Project Dharam:
    • The Dharam-Banihal section of the Jammu & Kashmir Rail Link Project is part of the Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project.
    • The project is a national initiative to connect the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India by rail. The Dharam-Banihal section includes a Tunnel Communication System that provides uninterrupted radio communication between handheld devices and base stations.
• National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL):
  • NHIDCL is a government-owned company established in 2014 for the development & maintenance of National Highways & Strategic Roads of India.
  • It operates as a nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).