Srinagar, April 21 -- Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44), the only road connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India, has long been seen as a strategic lifeline, essential for trade, transport, tourism, and security. However, despite ambitious plans and significant financial investments to transform it into an all-weather, four-lane expressway, the highway today stands as a symbol of engineering failures, environmental neglect, and policy oversight.

Initially, like many regional roads, NH-44 served its purpose when traffic volumes were lower and demand on the infrastructure was modest. Recognizing the growing pressure on the route and the strategic need for year-round connectivity, the Government of India undertook a major h...