In a recent announcement, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced the successful completion of a 224-metre, two-lane key viaduct at Sherebibi in Jammu and Kashmir, estimated at a cost of Rs 12 crore.
This newly constructed infrastructure lies within the Ramban to Banihal section of NH-44. The total length of the road will be approximately 32.10 km.
The cost of the highway was estimated to be Rs 1623.98 crore including the cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities.
This 224-metre segment, as part of a more extensive project, not only reduces the travel distance by 125 metres, effectively mitigating steep gradients but also eliminates the necessity for a steep cut with a hill slope angle exceeding 80 degrees.
Furthermore, it greatly enhances the seamless flow of traffic, circumventing the challenging terrain of the Sherebibi area gradients, as emphasised by Gadkari, reports the Economic Times.
In a tweet, the minister highlighted the significance of this project in contributing to the economic growth of the region and augmenting its overall connectivity.
He expressed, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are resolute in our commitment to delivering exceptional highway infrastructure to the state of Jammu & Kashmir.”