BuzzBytes | New Delhi | Mar 12:Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced the approval of Rs 224.44 crore for the construction of the Shopian Bypass on National Highway-444 in Jammu & Kashmir.The project, to be executed using the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode, encompasses the construction of a 2-lane stretch spanning 8.925 kilometers in the Shopian district. Minister Gadkari emphasized the strategic significance of the project, which will connect Shopian district with Pulwama on one side and Kulgam on the other within Jammu & Kashmir.This development is poised to greatly benefit apple growers in south Kashmir, particularly in Shopian district, renowned as the “Apple Bowl of the Valley,” by facilitating swift transportation of produce to the markets.Minister Gadkari highlighted the broader impact of the project, including enhanced connectivity and heightened road safety measures, which will contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the region.The sanctioning of funds underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir, fostering regional development, and bolstering connectivity across the Union Territory.