Improved Road Network Boosts Employment And Tourism In J&K: Nitin Gadkari

Further discussing the enhanced road connectivity, Gadkari said the government is building an expressway from Katra to Delhi via Amritsar for people travelling to the Vaishno Devi temple

In addition to these developments, it is important to note that railway networks are also being developed, he said

Source : PTI

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari, said on Thursday that investment is flooding in from all over the world in Jammu and Kashmir as the infrastructure and road networks have improved. He added that the government is making roads worth Rs 2 lakh crore, and Rs 1 lakh crore road projects are in the pipeline.

“We are building new roads and tunnels everywhere, and this year, tourism has doubled. In Uttarakhand, tourism increased threefold this year. These developments will further increase employment opportunities and help in the development of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said in an interview with DD News.

Gadkari also highlighted the potential for new businesses and employment opportunities in the region. He mentioned the establishment of new tourist spots, hotels, restaurants, taxis, and the introduction of various water and adventure sports, all of which will contribute to the economic growth of Jammu and Kashmir.

Further discussing the enhanced road connectivity, he said the government is building an expressway from Katra to Delhi via Amritsar for people travelling to the Vaishno Devi temple. People will be able to travel from Delhi to Katra in 6 hours, Delhi to Amritsar in 4 hours, and Katra highway to Srinagar in 8 hours. This will eventually result in a huge tourist influx.

In addition to these developments, it is important to note that railway networks are also being developed, he said.

“When I was the MSME minister, there was a lot of emphasis on handlooms, handicrafts and pashmina. So if the road network will improve, the exports will also improve. We are making Asia’s biggest tunnel (11.6 Km), the Zoji La Tunnel, whose work is 70-75 per cent completed. It is beneath Kargil,” he said.

Gadkari also discussed the roads built to improve the connectivity of the Amarnath temple. “For Amarnath, we are building a Rs 50,000 crore road network, and we are also building two new expressways from Jammu to Srinagar, in addition to the previous one. Because of all these developments, I believe the development in Jammu and Kashmir will increase with 3x or even 4x speed, the economy will enhance, youth will get jobs and most importantly, poor and farmers will also get the benefit, and J&K will be a prosperous state.” he opined.