Cabinet approves widening of Ramban-Banihal highway

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Wednesday approved the four-laning of the Ramban-Banihal section of national highway in Jammu and Kashmir.

An official release said the work would be done under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase-II.

It said the estimated cost will be Rs.1,623.98 crore which includes cost of land acquisition, resettlement, rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities. The total length of the road will about 32 km.

The release said the objective was to expedite six sub-projects in Jammu and Kashmir under NHDP Phase-II.

"Implementation of these projects would provide all-weather-connectivity from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley. It will also reduce journey time from Jammu to Srinagar and to the strategic border areas," the release said.