DG BR Lt Gen R Srinivasan witnesses breakthrough ceremony of Nowshera Tunnel. =BRO achieves breakthrough on 2nd tunnel out of 4 to be constructed on Akhnoor-Poonch Road

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

Development of defence infrastructure along borders is a continuous process: DG BR

RAJOURI, JANUARY 28:–Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, DG Border Roads (DG BR) on Sunday attended the breakthrough ceremony of Nowshera Tunnel being constructed under the upgradation, widening, and strengthening of two-lanes with paved shoulders of the National Highway -144 A from Akhnoor to Poonch.
The National Highway-144 A would have four single-tube tunnels for straightening of sharp curves and will reduce the journey from about 200 kilometres to 168 Km.
The motive behind constructing four tunnels on NH-144 A is to decongest vehicular traffic and to provide better connectivity.
The four tunnels would not only provide comfortable travelling experience but also would reduce sudden rise & fall of steep gradient and tight curves on Akhnoor to Poonch stretch.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has taken up the work of this strategically important road.
The existing length of the road is 32.950 km under package-5 from Nowshera to Kallar and after the construction of 700-meter long Nowshera Tunnel and a new bridge connecting this tunnel will reduce the length by 6.12 km.
Akhnoor-Poonch road also known as ‘Golden Arc Road’ is a very old and highly strategic 200 Km stretch which connects South Kashmir /Jammu region to the West of Jammu Kashmir.
It connects important border districts of Akhnoor, Rajouri and Poonch.
There are four major Tunnels in this stretch viz Kandi tunnel, Sungal tunnel, Naushera tunnel and Bhimber Gali tunnel.
“This is a major project in enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating smoother transportation along the National Highway,”.
On November 25 in 2023, the BRO celebrated the breakthrough of the 1st tunnel namely Kandi tunnel.
“The progress of the National Highway has taken pace, and the project is expected to be completed by 2026 before its specified time,” said BRO.
“BRO is spearheading crucial road projects to connect remote areas with major centers in the Jammu-Poonch region. The Jammu-Poonch link, advancing rapidly, is on track for completion in the next few years,” said Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan.
“Development of defence infrastructure along borders is a continuous process and BRO is committed towards strengthening of defence infrastructure by building and upgrading strategic roads all along the IB, LC and LAC,” he added.
“BRO and Project Sampark is steadfast in its commitment to Create, Connect, Care and save lives of the citizens of its area of responsibility. It believes in the adage ‘Roads Build Nation’ and rededicated itself to the construction of border roads infrastructures to spur socio-economic progress,” said Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, DG Border Roads .