Jitendra Singh Launches ₹1,503 Crore PMGSY Roads

• 110 PMGSY-IV roads covering 598.455 km were launched across five districts.
• The projects carry a sanctioned cost of ₹1,503.53 crore and are expected to benefit 46,972 people.
• Jitendra Singh stressed timely completion, quality control and last-mile connectivity.
• The projects are expected to improve access to education, healthcare, markets and employment in remote areas.

GG News Bureau
Udhampur, 29th Aug: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday laid the foundation stone for 110 road projects under PMGSY-IV, Batch-I of 2026-27, covering the Udhampur-Kathua-Doda-Kishtwar region.

The projects together cover 598.455 km and have a sanctioned cost of ₹1,503.53 crore, according to the project statement. They are spread across Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts and are expected to benefit 46,972 people.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for according continued priority to the Udhampur-Kathua-Doda parliamentary constituency over the past 12 years.

He said Udhampur has consistently figured among the country’s top three districts in terms of PMGSY road projects, reflecting the government’s focus on rural connectivity in remote and difficult terrain.

Of the 110 projects, 44 roads covering 235.040 km have been sanctioned for Udhampur at an estimated cost of ₹554.90 crore.

Kathua accounts for 24 projects covering 128.925 km at ₹307.12 crore, while Ramban has 13 projects covering 60.360 km at ₹154.97 crore.

Doda has 13 projects covering 90.180 km at ₹260.66 crore, and Kishtwar has 16 projects covering 83.950 km at ₹224.88 crore.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the new roads would strengthen all-weather connectivity and reduce travel difficulties for people living in remote and hilly areas.

He particularly highlighted benefits for women, school-going children and senior citizens, who often face difficulties accessing schools, healthcare facilities, markets, workplaces and other essential services.

The Minister said improved connectivity would also strengthen economic opportunities in remote communities by reducing the distance between villages and essential services.

He also pointed to the security dimension of road infrastructure in difficult terrain, saying improved connectivity would facilitate faster movement of security forces and support anti-militancy and counter-terror operations.

A notable feature of several projects is the proposed use of waste plastics in road construction, combining rural infrastructure development with more sustainable construction practices.

Dr Jitendra Singh stressed the need for adherence to timelines and quality standards while executing the projects.

J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said the Union Territory was firmly on the path of development and assured that concerns raised by legislators would be addressed.

He said contractors would have to execute works according to prescribed standards and there would be no compromise on construction quality. He also warned that action would be taken against shortcomings in project execution.

Several MLAs attended the programme and raised issues related to forest clearances, contractor defaults and delays in development works. Dr Jitendra Singh and the Deputy Chief Minister assured them that the concerns would be taken up for necessary action.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the continued expansion of PMGSY connectivity would help ensure that difficult geography does not become a barrier to development, mobility and access to opportunities.