Govt says there is no plan for Keran tunnel yet

Aatif Qayoom
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20 Feb 2026

Srinagar, Feb 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has said that no tunnel is proposed for the Keran sector in Kupwara district, even as the area remains cut off during winters due to heavy snowfall.

Replying to a question raised by MLA Mir Saifullah in the Assembly, the Public Works Department stated that Keran experiences heavy snowfall during winter which may temporarily affect surface connectivity. The government said it takes timely and appropriate measures in advance to mitigate hardships faced by local residents and Army personnel deployed in the area.

On whether a Detailed Project Report had been formulated for construction of a tunnel in the border area, the government clarified that no tunnel has been proposed in the Keran sector. However, it informed the House that construction of the Dal Bridge Keran road is under progress under NHSL Paved Shoulder specifications. The department said the physical progress of the work has reached 34.08 percent. With no tunnel proposal under consideration, the question of recommending the project to the Government of India for funding does not arise, the reply added.