Srinagar, Mar 12 (PTI) The Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry has sanctioned Rs 224.44 crore to construct a bypass on the national highway in the Shopian district.

The announcement was made by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.

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"In Jammu & Kashmir, an allocation of Rs 224.44 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of the Shopian Bypass on National Highway-444, transforming it into a 2-lane configuration with a paved shoulder. This development, spanning 8.925 Km in the Shopian district, will executed using the EPC Mode," Gadkari said in a post on X on Tuesday.

He said linking Shopian District with Pulwama on one side and Kulgam on the other within the Union Territory of J-K, the project holds strategic significance.

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"It is poised to significantly benefit apple growers in south Kashmir, particularly in Shopian district, known as the 'Apple bowl of the valley', by facilitating swift transportation of produce to markets. The overall impact includes improved connectivity and heightened road safety measures," the minister said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)