Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways announces in Twitter'X' that "in Jammu & Kashmir, we have successfully completed a 4-lane, 2.35 km bypass to Banihal town at an cost of ₹224.44 crore. Strategically located on the Ramban–Banihal section of NH-44, the bypass features 4 viaducts spanning 1,513 meters and 3 culverts, effectively addressing the persistent bottleneck caused by roadside markets and shops.
Initially, 2-lane traffic will be released and 4-lane traffic shall be released after junction development within 15 days.
This critical infrastructure ensures unhindered traffic flow, significantly reducing travel time and congestion for both tourists and defense vehicles en route to the Kashmir Valley. Beyond improving regional connectivity, the bypass strengthens national security logistics and enhances tourism prospects in the region. "