Karnataka

Minister Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 22 National Highway projects, spanning 268 km and valued at over Rs 4,000 crore in Karnataka’s Mysuru, also in March. The minister said in a social media post that these include initiatives like the Huliyar-KB cross-Chunchanahalli-Nelligere road aimed to enhance connectivity between Mysuru and North Karnataka.

The Mysuru Ring Road, complete with service roads will alleviate congestion and ensure a smoother flow of traffic. The 4-lane expansion of Belur-Hassan and Yede Gowdanahalli-Bilikere road, coupled with the installation of road overbridges at Hangarahalli and Holenarasipur bypass, will result in a significant 2-hour reduction in travel time.

The construction of a major bridge over Lakshmana Tirtha River seeks to decongest Hunsur Town, echoing the commitment to streamlined urban planning. Additionally, the development of Srinivasapura and Chintamani bypasses targets congestion reduction in both cities. The strategic inclusion of major and minor bridges, as well as road-over bridges on railway-level crossings, underscores a concerted effort to facilitate unhindered traffic movement.

JIM CORBETT PARK: Mr Gadkari in March approved an allocation of Rs 494.45 crore for the 4-laning and upgradation of the Kashipur to Ramnagar section of National Highway 121in Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital districts of Uttarakhand. He said the Kashipur-Ramnagar section will improve connectivity to Jim Corbett National Park, which is a popular tourist destination.

The corridor is one of the busiest tourist routes in Uttarakhand and the new project will reduce travel time and increase safety for road users. Economic activity will also gain momentum in the project impact area, the minister added.

SHOPIAN BYPASS: An allocation of Rs 224.44 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of the Shopian Bypass on National Highway-444 in Jammu & Kashmir. This development, which will comprise a 2-lane stretch across 8.925 km in the Shopian district, will be executed using the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. The minister said the project also holds strategic significance as it links Shopian district with Pulwama on one side and Kulgam on the other within Jammu & Kashmir.

It is poised to significantly benefit apple growers in south Kashmir, particularly in Shopian district, known as the “Apple Bowl of the Valley,” by facilitating swift transportation of produce to the markets. The overall impact includes improved connectivity and heightened road safety measures, he added.