In response to news item carried out by a local daily regarding widening of the 2-km left out stretch of the National Highway in south Kashmir’s Anantnag town, the news report is factually incorrect and NHIDCL was not consulted before publication of said news item.

According to NHIDCL communique, the works on km 235 (Vailoo) to km 263(Donipawa) has been completed recently by NHIDCL while as the works on stretch from km 193 (Sinthanpass) to km 235 (Vailoo) is under maintenance as part of NH-244. The stretch from existing km 263 (Donipwa) to km 265 i.e. Janglatmandi (2 km stretch under consideration) is not part of project, it adds.

The communique adds that a new bypass from km 263 on NH-244 (Donipawa) to Alstop on NH-44 (8.47 km length) is under construction and is expected to be completed by October 2023 and the Donipwa- Janglatmandi stretch will be completely bypassed as traffic coming from Jammu and destined to NH- 244 will take this new bypass.

Moreover, airing is also proposed to be formed (under DPR stage) by construction of bypass (Khanabal Bypass) between Sursunoo (NH-44) and Bumzoo (NH-501) and link road between Mattan (NH-501) and Achabal (NH-244), it says.

The communique adds that with the construction of this airing, the stretch of Donipwa- Janglatmandi will be completely bypassed from both sides and traffic from NH-44 to NH-501 and NH-244 will take these roads thus de-congesting the said stretch.