Strategic four-lane road will boost tourism, pilgrimage and economic growth in Jammu: Gupta
DH NEWS SERVICE
jammu, jun 17
Jammu West MLA and senior BJP leader Arvind Gupta met Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways Shri Ajay Tamta and submitted a detailed memorandum seeking the construction of a four-lane link road from Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, to the Jammu Ring Road (NH-244A) via Rajpur, Bhagatpur, Kotha Bakshi and Sandwan villages.
During the meeting, Gupta highlighted the immense public importance, strategic relevance and religious significance of the proposed infrastructure project and urged the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways to initiate the necessary survey, preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and subsequent execution of the project on priority.
The proposed corridor, measuring approximately 8 kilometres, is envisioned as a vital connectivity project that would directly link Bhagwati Nagar with the Jammu Ring Road and further connect it to the upcoming Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, creating a seamless transportation network for pilgrims, tourists and local residents.
Explaining the significance of the project, Gupta informed the Union Minister that Bhagwati Nagar serves as the principal Registration and Transit Centre for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, catering to lakhs of pilgrims from across the country every year. The existing traffic infrastructure often comes under tremendous pressure during the annual pilgrimage season, making improved connectivity an urgent necessity.
He emphasized that the proposed four-lane road would substantially enhance the movement of pilgrims and tourists by providing a faster, safer and more efficient route between Jammu city and major national highways. The project would also strengthen Jammu’s role as the gateway to some of the country’s most revered pilgrimage destinations.
Gupta pointed out that the strategic corridor would facilitate devotees visiting three major Hindu pilgrimage centres Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine; Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine, Katra and Shri Buddha Amarnath Ji Shrine, Poonch.
The MLA further stated that beyond its religious importance, the project would deliver significant socio-economic benefits to the region. Improved road infrastructure would encourage tourism-related investments, generate employment opportunities, promote commercial activities and accelerate development in the villages and surrounding areas falling along the proposed alignment.
Highlighting the urban planning benefits, Gupta noted that the four-lane corridor would help decongest traffic within Jammu city by providing an alternative route for vehicles heading towards the Ring Road and Expressway network. Reduced traffic pressure within city limits would improve travel time, road safety and overall commuter convenience.
The proposal also carries substantial security and disaster-management significance. With lakhs of pilgrims arriving in Jammu during the Yatra season, enhanced connectivity would facilitate smoother traffic regulation, quicker emergency response and better coordination of security arrangements, thereby improving the overall management of large-scale pilgrim movements.
Describing the project as one of national relevance, Gupta said that Jammu, popularly known as the “City of Temples” and the base camp for several important pilgrimages, deserves world-class infrastructure capable of supporting the growing influx of devotees and tourists.
Seeking the personal intervention of the Union Minister, Gupta requested the Ministry to consider taking up the project under its infrastructure development initiatives and direct the concerned authorities to expedite all necessary technical and administrative procedures for its early implementation.
Shri Ajay Tamta gave a patient hearing to the proposal and appreciated the importance of strengthening road connectivity in the region. The Union Minister assured that the matter would be examined by the Ministry in view of its significance for pilgrimage tourism, public convenience and regional development.
Expressing optimism after the meeting, Arvind Gupta said the proposed road corridor would emerge as a transformative project for Jammu, enhancing connectivity, promoting tourism, easing traffic congestion and contributing substantially to the long-term economic growth of the region.
