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Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH), announced today that the Uni-Directional Khellani tunnel in the Doda district is undergoing an upgrade to transform it into a two-lane structure. This upgrade will include the addition of a paved shoulder and enhancements to its approach road on National Highway-244. He revealed that the tunnel is a crucial component of the Sudh Mahadev-Goha-Khellani-Chatroo-Khanabal National Highway. This highway will serve as an alternative route to the Batote-Kishtwar road, providing all-weather connectivity to the Doda region while reducing the distance between Doda and Kishtwar by 30 kilometers. Gadkari shared a picture of the ongoing work on the Khellani tunnel on a social media platform (formerly Twitter) and mentioned, In Jammu and Kashmir, we are upgrading the Uni-Directional Khellani tunnel into a 2-lane structure, incorporating a paved shoulder and improving its approach road on National Highway-244. He specified that the total length of this project spans 2.419 kilometers and falls under Package 3. Gadkari emphasized that the upgraded tunnel will ensure year-round accessibility, which will bring substantial economic benefits to the local community and residents of the region. Gadkari stated, Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this ambitious project is dedicated to achieving expeditious, trouble-free, and environmentally conscious mobility in Jammu and Kashmir. Gadkari also shared four photographs depicting the ongoing work at the Khellani tunnel. Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), who also serves as the Lok Sabha member from the Doda constituency, rephrased Gadkari’s message and posted it on the same social media platform. He stated, Under Modi's leadership, the Udhampur-Kathua-Doda Lok Sabha constituency has witnessed the construction of over 200 new bridges, the Katra-Delhi Express Corridor, three new National Highways, and Asia's longest road tunnel, named after Syama Prasad Mukherjee. Dr Singh expressed his gratitude to Gadkari for upgrading the Khellani tunnel on National Highway-244, emphasising that this development will be a game-changer for the remote hilly region of the Doda district. Significant progress is being made on the Sudh Mahadev-Goha-Khellani-Chatroo-Khanabal National Highway, which will provide all-weather connectivity to the people of Doda and Kishtwar districts with the Jammu region and Kashmir. Also read:  Bhopal cabinet approves major infrastructure projectsNHAI's project awarding and asset monetisation updates for FY24