Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan, Chief of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), met with Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today to discuss the progress of the Chattergala tunnel project and other upcoming road and bridge initiatives in the Udhampur-Kathua-Doda Lok Sabha constituency.
Dr. Jitendra Singh commended the BRO for successfully undertaking and completing a substantial number of projects within his Lok Sabha constituency over the past nine and a half years. Notably, the BRO achieved the remarkable feat of establishing road connectivity up to the Zero Line on the International Border (IB) for the first time. The Minister highlighted that approximately 200 significant bridges have been constructed by the BRO in the Udhampur-Kathua-Doda constituency alone.
The region has witnessed unprecedented progress in road and bridge construction, with notable projects such as the Atal Setu at Basohli, Keediyan Gadyal and Juthana bridges in Kathua, Devika Bridge at Udhampur, and the new National Highway from Khilani-Marmat in Doda to Sudhmahadev, including the Kaljugar tunnel.
Dr. Jitendra Singh recalled the inauguration of seven BRO bridges by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Kathua district a year ago, including the record-breaking construction of the Benadi bridge in just 90 days. Recently, on the 19th of this month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 11 infrastructure projects in Jammu & Kashmir, which included three bridges – Jotha, Sarad, and Sarthi – on the Road Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah.
Addressing the proposed Chattergala tunnel project, Dr. Jitendra Singh acknowledged the challenges faced due to financial, topographical, and COVID-related constraints, causing delays. The Chattergala tunnel, once completed, will provide all-weather alternate road connectivity between Kathua and Doda, significantly reducing travel time from Doda to Lakhanpur to around four hours.
The Chattergala Project envisions a 6.8 km long tunnel, with a feasibility survey already conducted by BRO and BEACONS. The estimated construction cost is around Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 3,500 crore, and the project is expected to take approximately four years for completion.
Dr. Jitendra Singh urged Lt. Gen. Srinivasan to expedite the Chattergala project, emphasizing its potential to be a game-changer for the districts of Kathua and Doda. The Minister highlighted that this project would not only generate revenue and employment but also enhance tourism opportunities for regions like Bani and Bhaderwah.
Despite funding constraints faced by the BRO, Dr. Jitendra Singh secured positive responses from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who instructed exploring avenues for financial support through Bharatmala or other channels from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
The BRO Chief briefed Dr. Jitendra Singh on the progress of the Road Sarthal–Chattergala development, including the construction of 16 bridges. The ongoing infrastructure development is poised to unlock the tourism potential of the area, with the BRO maintaining roads to the highest standards and employing modern snow clearance equipment.
Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated the significance of the Chattergala project and its potential to transform the region, providing improved connectivity, business opportunities, and promoting tourism on a national scale. The Minister emphasized that despite long-pending demands, the project had not been taken up by earlier governments due to differing priorities.