The strategic Akhnoor-Poonch road, dubbed the “Golden Arc Road,” reached a significant milestone today with the breakthrough ceremony of the 2,790-meter-long Sungal Tunnel.
This pivotal infrastructure project, National Highway 144A, is a crucial link connecting Akhnoor and Poonch, two important border districts in the region.
Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, Spokesperson and PRO of the Ministry of Defence, Jammu, highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, “The construction of this pivotal infrastructure project reached a significant milestone today as the Breakthrough Ceremony for the Sungal Tunnel took place. The tunnel spanning an impressive 2,790 meters is a crucial link connecting Akhnoor and Poonch.”
The breakthrough ceremony was reviewed by DGBR Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, VSM, who underscored the importance of this project in enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating smoother transportation along the National Highway.
Lt Col Bartwal further quoted Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, who said, “The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is spearheading crucial road projects to connect remote areas with major centers in the Jammu-Poonch region. The Jammu-Poonch link, advancing rapidly, is on track for completion in the next few years.”
Addressing the development of defence infrastructure along the Line of Control (LoC), the DGBR stated, “The development of defence infrastructure is a continuous process, and the Border Roads Organisation is committed to strengthening it by building and upgrading strategic roads all along the International Border, Line of Control, and Line of Actual Control.”
The Akhnoor-Poonch road, also known as the “Golden Arc Road,” is a highly strategic 200-kilometer stretch that connects South Kashmir and the Jammu region to the western part of Jammu and Kashmir. It links the critical border districts of Akhnoor, Rajouri, and Poonch. In addition to the Sungal Tunnel, the road features four major tunnels: Kandi Tunnel, Naushera Tunnel, and Bhimber Gali Tunnel. This year, on January 28, the breakthrough of the Naushera Tunnel was achieved, signifying the BRO’s efforts toward providing connectivity across the Rajouri and Poonch areas.
Lt Col Bartwal emphasized the BRO’s commitment to the project, stating, “BRO and Project Sampark are steadfast in their commitment to create, connect, care, and save lives of the citizens in their area of responsibility. It believes in the adage ‘Roads Build Nation’ and has rededicated itself to the construction of border road infrastructure to spur socio-economic progress.” With the progress of the National Highway gaining momentum, the project is expected to be completed by 2026, further bolstering the region’s connectivity and strategic importance.
