For the third consecutive day, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained shut on Thursday due to incessant rains and flash floods, which has left hundreds stranded while vital supplies to the Kashmir Valley are suspended. This disruption has once again brought into focus the vulnerability of surface connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir. Given the economic and humanitarian implications of such frequent blockades, the Union government must no longer treat the construction of the Pir Ki Gali tunnel on Mughal Road and the Anantnag-Kishtwar tunnels as regional infrastructure projects, but as urgent national imperatives. The Jammu-Srinagar highway is not just a road; it is the lifeline of the Valley. But year after year, landslides, rainfall, and snow continue to damage or close the highway, severing the only all-weather connection between Kashmir and the rest of the country. The Mughal Road, an alternative route passing through Pir Ki Gali, remains seasonal due to heavy snowfall and the absence of a tunnel. The construction of the Pir Ki Gali tunnel, which has been long discussed but repeatedly delayed, would allow this historic route to be operational year-round, drastically easing the pressure on NH-44. Similarly, the Anantnag-Kishtwar tunnel would serve not only as an additional route for civilian and military mobility but also integrate the Chenab and Kashmir regions more effectively. This connectivity would be a game-changer for the economic development of remote areas which remain cut off for months during winters. There are clear strategic and security arguments for building these tunnels. Kashmir is a sensitive zone from a national security standpoint. A single-road dependency can be a glaring vulnerability. In the event of any natural disaster, border escalation, or internal emergency, limited access can compromise rescue, relief, and reinforcement capabilities. Multiple all-weather tunnels would offer critical redundancy. From an economic perspective, robust connectivity will stimulate trade, tourism, horticulture, and employment opportunities in underdeveloped areas. The socio-economic upliftment that would follow will address long-standing grievances and foster greater integration. Under prime minister Narendra Modi, the Union government has demonstrated political will and engineering prowess in executing mega infrastructure projects such as the Atal Tunnel and the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway line. The delay in initiating the Pir Ki Gali and Anantnag-Kishtwar tunnels is therefore inexcusable. The government must immediately order feasibility studies, lift bureaucratic hurdles, and obtain environmental clearances to pave the way for these two key projects and build resilient infrastructure that matches the demand of Kashmir’s rough terrain and our people’s aspirations.