Raya Morh-Kunjwani stretch to be operational by June 20, 2026
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 25: The Delhi–Amritsar–Katra (DAK) Expressway is set to be completed by March 2027, a senior National Highway Authority of India (NHA) official said.
Once operational, the high-speed, access-controlled corridor -the fifth major expressway being developed in the country-will reduce the distance between Delhi and Katra from 727 km to 588 km and bring down travel time from 14 hours to nearly 6 hours.
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The expressway will also provide seamless connectivity between two major pilgrimage destinations— Sri Harmandir Sahib in Punjab and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi in Reasi district — and is expected to significantly boost tourism, trade and regional mobility. Rajiv Kumar, Project Director NHAI, told the Excelsior that in Jammu & Kashmir, phase II of the project comprises three packages being executed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM).
According to him, Package 14, spanning 44.60 km from Balsua in Pathankot district of Punjab to Hiranagar in Kathua district, is being developed at a total cost of Rs 3,044.02 crore, including Rs 1,939 crore as civil cost.
“The construction on this package began on September 26, 2022, and has achieved 81.60% physical progress. It is now targeted for completion by May 31, 2026,” said Rajiv Kumar, the Project Director, NHAI.
Package 15, covering 35.15 km from Hiranagar to Raya Morh in Samba district, he said, involves an investment of Rs 2,714.95 crore, including Rs 1,870 crore as civil cost.
“The work on this package commenced on September 26, 2022, and has reached 88.50% physical progress, with completion scheduled for July 31, 2026,” Kumar said.
According to him, Package 16, considered crucial for Jammu city connectivity, stretches 20.38 km from Raya Morh to Kunjwani. It includes a dedicated 7 km spur to the new Jammu Airport terminal and the Tawi 4th Bridge, besides a 1.2 km extension towards Jammu city.
The Project Director, NHAI, Rajiv Kumar said the Package 16, costing Rs 1,917.32 crore with Rs 1,765 crore as civil component, started on September 27, 2022, and has achieved 92.53% progress. “It is slated for completion by June 20, 2026,” he said.
Kumar, however, acknowledged that the project faced delays due to land acquisition constraints and change of scope requirements arising from site conditions and design refinements.
“There were initial challenges in obtaining encumbrance-free land and certain technical adjustments had to be made. In addition, temporary security-related operational restrictions during OP Sindoor, extreme weather events and flood-related disruptions also affected construction and logistics,” he said.
However, the NHAI Project Director said that enhanced resource mobilization and close coordination with stakeholders have helped keep the overall March 2027 completion target intact.
Once completed, the corridor is expected to improve road safety standards, reduce transportation costs for apples, agricultural produce, cement and other industrial commodities, generate employment during construction and operations, and strengthen connectivity to border and strategically important areas of Jammu & Kashmir.
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