Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Thursday, 25 June 2026 welcomed the restoration of two key bridges on NH-44 near Kathua, crediting Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari for the timely work ahead of the Amarnath Yatra. The restored structures — the Ravi River bridge and the Sehar Khad bridge near Kalibari, Kathua — are expected to ease movement for pilgrims, commuters, traders, and tourists on the principal Jammu-Srinagar highway.

Context

Posting on X, Dr. Singh described the development as 'Good News for Kathua,' noting that the restorations came 'on the eve of the holy Amarnath Yatra.' He thanked Nitin Gadkari for 'timely restoration' of the bridges, stating the work would enhance 'ease of travel for commuters, traders, tourists and pilgrims.' The minister also linked the project to what he described as '12 years of continued focus' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on infrastructure and development in Jammu and Kashmir.

NH-44 is the primary surface artery connecting Jammu with Srinagar and Ladakh. The Kathua district sits at the southern entry of this corridor, making its bridges critical chokepoints for seasonal pilgrimage traffic as well as year-round trade and civilian movement.

Policy Backdrop

Infrastructure investment on NH-44 and allied routes in Jammu and Kashmir has been a consistent policy priority since 2014, accelerated further after the 2019 reorganisation of the region into Union Territories. The Bharatmala Pariyojana, launched in 2015, specifically earmarked resources for constructing and upgrading national highway stretches in the region, including bridges vulnerable to monsoon and winter damage.

Periodic restoration and reinforcement of bridges and tunnels along this corridor has been undertaken to maintain all-weather connectivity — a goal the central government has framed as essential for both civilian welfare and strategic access. The Ravi River and Sehar Khad bridges near Kalibari represent the kind of critical link-road infrastructure that, when disrupted, can bottleneck the entire Jammu-Kashmir surface route.

Stakeholders and Impact

The most immediate beneficiaries are the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims, whose annual journey to the cave shrine in the Kashmir Valley depends on reliable road access through Jammu division. Any disruption on NH-44 — particularly at river-crossing points — can cascade into significant delays and safety risks for tens of thousands of devotees who undertake the pilgrimage each season.

Beyond pilgrims, Kathua district traders and transporters who rely on the highway for goods movement stand to benefit from restored bridge capacity. Tourists heading toward Jammu and Kashmir's destinations further north also depend on uninterrupted access at this southern gateway. Dr. Singh's post underscores the political salience of such connectivity projects for the Jammu constituency he represents.

What's Next

With the 2026 Amarnath Yatra season now imminent, traffic management and road readiness along NH-44 will remain under close watch. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is expected to continue reviewing bridge and tunnel conditions on the corridor through the monsoon period, when infrastructure on this route faces its greatest seasonal stress.

Any further bridge or tunnel announcements for Jammu and Kashmir in the next Union Budget cycle or ministerial review would extend the pattern of central investment that Dr. Singh has consistently highlighted — positioning infrastructure delivery as a measurable indicator of governance in the Union Territory.