Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has laid the foundation stone for 110 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) road projects valued at ₹1,503.53 crore. These projects, covering a total length of 598.455 kilometers, are set to enhance connectivity across remote and difficult hilly areas within the Udhampur-Kathua-Doda Parliamentary constituency.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the initiative, which forms part of PMGSY-IV, Batch-I of 2026-27, aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to 46,972 beneficiaries across Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda, and Kishtwar districts. This significant infrastructure development underscores the government’s commitment to improving rural mobility and the ease of living in far-flung regions.
Dr. Singh highlighted the sustained priority given to the Udhampur-Kathua-Doda constituency over the past 12 years, noting that Udhampur consistently ranks among the top districts nationally for PMGSY road projects. He emphasized that the scale of the current intervention demonstrates a continued focus on reaching remote villages and habitations, transforming rural mobility and contributing to ease of travel.
The minister elaborated on the transformative impact of the expanded PMGSY road network, stating that it is bringing essential services and opportunities closer to rural communities. He specifically mentioned that senior citizens and school-going children, who previously faced significant travel difficulties, especially during the rainy season, will now experience improved access to their workplaces, schools, and essential destinations.
The benefits are also expected to extend to women in the remotest villages, facilitating easier access to schools, healthcare, markets, and employment opportunities. The development of roads in previously inaccessible areas is creating a new mobility network, directly improving the daily lives of women and families in the hilly terrain.
Furthermore, Dr. Singh pointed out the important security dimension of improved connectivity in these challenging hilly areas. Enhanced road infrastructure will facilitate quicker movement of security forces, strengthening anti-militancy operations and counter-insurgency efforts, while concurrently bringing development closer to the local population.
A district-wise breakdown of the projects indicates that Kathua will receive 24 road projects (128.925 km) costing approximately ₹307.12 crore. Udhampur will benefit from 44 projects spanning 235.040 km, with an estimated cost of ₹554.90 crore. Ramban will see 13 projects covering 60.360 km, costing around ₹154.97 crore. Doda is allocated 13 projects covering 90.180 km, valued at approximately ₹260.66 crore. Kishtwar will have 16 projects covering 83.950 km, with a sanctioned cost of about ₹224.88 crore.
A notable aspect of these projects is the incorporation of waste plastics in road construction, aligning the goal of enhancing rural connectivity with sustainable building practices. This approach combines the objective of strengthening rural connectivity with more environmentally conscious road construction.
Dr. Singh reiterated the government’s focus on ensuring development benefits reach the last mile and the remotest habitations, stating that this latest package will further bolster the road network within the constituency and adjacent hilly regions. He recalled that in May, the Udhampur-Kathua-Doda constituency received approximately 43 percent of the total PMGSY allocation for Jammu & Kashmir.
The minister emphasized that the sustained focus on rural roads is particularly meaningful in a constituency with numerous villages situated in steep, remote, and geographically challenging terrains. He added that improved roads are not only reducing travel time but also enhancing access to education, healthcare, markets, employment, and other essential services, thereby serving as an instrument of social and economic empowerment.
Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that the government’s focus will remain on strengthening last-mile connectivity, ensuring that difficult geography does not impede development, mobility, or access to opportunities. The expanding PMGSY network is intended to serve both the developmental needs of the people and the strategic requirements of the region.
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, expressed satisfaction with the development trajectory of the Union Territory, assuring that the concerns of the people would be addressed. He stressed the importance of adhering to prescribed standards and maintaining the quality of construction for the road projects, warning of strict action against any shortcomings. Several Members of the Legislative Assembly were present, with some raising issues related to forest clearances and contractor defaults, which Dr. Singh and the Deputy Chief Minister assured would be swiftly addressed.
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