The Union Government has initiated plans to expand and modernize the 63-kilometer Srinagar–Qazigund road (NH-444), establishing a strategic alternative to the frequently congested NH-44 that connects south and central Kashmir.
As part of this initiative, the Centre has allocated Rs 0.95 billion for a new Qazigund bypass, which will link the route to the old Banihal–Qazigund highway; construction is set to commence once the funds are disbursed. According to Chief Engineer (Roads & Buildings) Kashmir, Sajad Naqeeb, a comprehensive project report for NH-444 will soon be submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Beginning at Barzulla in Srinagar, the enhanced road will feature an elevated corridor that bypasses Humhama Airport, Ompora, and Chadoora before traversing through Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam to reach Qazigund. This new bypass will be the fourth along the route, complementing ongoing projects at Pulwama (4.75 km), Shopian (8.95 km), and Kulgam (8.7 km).
Upon completion, NH-444 is anticipated to provide safer and smoother travel, especially during winter when NH-44 is susceptible to closures, while also boosting the local economy. Apple growers in Shopian—the ‘apple bowl of the Valley’—are expected to benefit from improved access to markets, and officials assert that the broader project will significantly enhance the transport resilience of Jammu and Kashmir.
