Rajouri, Dec 15 (NationPress) The Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway is currently witnessing a monumental transformation thanks to the Central government’s dedicated infrastructure initiative, with development activities advancing at a remarkable speed.

These ambitious undertakings are designed to enhance connectivity, improve safety, and stimulate economic progress in the strategically vital border districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

In the Manjakote area of Rajouri, the building of bypass routes, extensive bridges, dual-lane highways, and tunnels is in full throttle. These extensive projects are being bolstered by significant central funding amounting to lakhs and crores of rupees, underscoring the government’s resolve to modernize border infrastructure.

For many years, Rajouri, a key border district, suffered from inadequate road connectivity. Locals often had to endure lengthy, tiring, and perilous journeys due to narrow roads and recurrent traffic jams. With the new infrastructure nearing completion, the travel time between Jammu and Poonch is anticipated to drop to about five hours, a substantial improvement from the previous 8-10 hour trek.

Residents are calling this transformation a dream come true, as they never envisioned such advanced road infrastructure in their area. Transitioning from struggling for basic link roads to now witnessing state-of-the-art bridges and dual-lane highways is being hailed as revolutionary. Many have voiced their heartfelt appreciation to the Central government for prioritizing border regions and establishing a solid foundation for development, safety, and prosperity.

Asif Khan shared his thoughts with IANS, stating, “The construction is underway, and progress is being made swiftly.”

The National Highway 144A Megha project is poised to deliver a substantial boost to the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. Once fully operational, the upgraded highway will cut travel time between Poonch, Rajouri, and Jammu from approximately six hours to just three to four hours. Specifically, the journey from Rajouri to Jammu is expected to diminish to around 2.5 hours.

The revised road alignment will also reduce the distance by approximately 9.5 kilometers compared to current routes, directly benefiting local commuters. Moreover, the project has created job opportunities for local youth, including engineers, equipment operators, drivers, helpers, and laborers. Enhanced connectivity is projected to promote tourism in the Pir Panjal region, further driving economic development and long-term growth.