Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Residents of Chenani in Udhampur district have welcomed the Union Cabinet’s approval of the Sudhmahadev to Dranga and Singhpora to Vailoo tunnel projects, worth a combined 9,800 crore rupees, describing the landmark decision as a turning point for connectivity and development in the region. The announcement has generated widespread enthusiasm across Chenani and neighbouring areas that stand to benefit directly from the infrastructure upgrade.
Union Minister and Udhampur MP Dr Jitendra Singh expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari for approving the ambitious projects, a few days after the Cabinet’s landmark decision. The minister’s remarks reflect the years of advocacy by local representatives seeking faster, safer and all weather connectivity for the mountainous belt spanning Udhampur, Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar.
Residents of Chenani believe the twin tunnels will usher in a new era of development by ensuring reliable road access to these districts throughout the year, significantly reducing both travel time and fuel consumption on a stretch that has long been vulnerable to seasonal disruptions caused by snow and landslides. The region’s dependence on a single, often treacherous highway corridor has historically constrained trade, tourism and everyday mobility for residents.
Local farmers in the area say the improved road network will help them expand their markets for vegetables and other produce beyond Udhampur and Jammu to districts such as Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar, potentially fetching better prices and encouraging educated youth to view agriculture as a more profitable and attractive profession. This shift, if realized, could meaningfully alter the local economy in a belt where agriculture remains a primary livelihood for many families.
People in the region are also hopeful that the tunnel projects will generate substantial new employment opportunities for youth across Udhampur, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah, both during the construction phase and after the tunnels become operational. Residents further believe that better connectivity will give a major boost to tourism, drawing more visitors to landmarks such as the Sudhmahadev Temple, the International Yoga Centre and other scenic and heritage sites scattered across the Chenab valley region, bringing wider economic prosperity in its wake.
Local residents thanked the Modi Government and Dr Jitendra Singh for securing approval of the tunnels, expressing confidence that the projects mark a significant step towards ending decades of connectivity challenges faced by communities living along this stretch of the Jammu region.
