When Progress Leaves the Past Behind
“The opening of the Digdol–Panthyal Twin Tube
Tunnel stands as a tribute to the workers who lost their lives during
construction and a milestone in NH-44’s journey from a perilous mountain road
to a safer lifeline for Kashmir.”
Peerzada Mohsin Shafi
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the long and layered history of Jammu and Kashmir’s connectivity with the rest
of the country, few roads have carried as much weight of geography, emotion and
national importance as National Highway 44. Cutting through the towering
Himalayas, this lifeline has for decades linked Jammu with Srinagar, carrying
passengers, essential goods, security convoys and the hopes of millions. Yet it
has also been defined by fragility, unpredictability and repeated tragedy. The
opening of the Digdol–Panthyal Twin Tube Tunnel on the Ramban–Banihal stretch
marks a historic moment of transition, standing at the intersection of
progress, criticism and condolence.
The
Digdol–Panthyal Tunnel is a 3.5 km engineering marvel developed under the EPC mode.
The Letter of Acceptance for the project was signed on 03-09-2021 for an
estimated cost of ₹ 846 crore and construction began on 01-02-2022. As part of
the ongoing four-lanning of NH-44, the tunnel has been designed to provide a
safe, fast and all-weather alternative through one of the most hazardous
stretches of the highway. It is a critical intervention in a region where
nature has always dictated the terms of movement.
For
decades, the Ramban, Digdol and Panthyal stretch on NH-44 was known for its
extreme vulnerability and constant disruption. Locals and frequent travellers
often referred to it as Khooni Nallah, a name that reflected not exaggeration
but lived reality. The road was infamous for falling rocks, landslides,
shooting stones and frequent fatal accidents that would bring traffic to a
standstill. Heavy rains and cloudbursts would often trigger sudden slope
failures, blocking the highway without warning. Travel on this stretch was
always uncertain, turning the corridor into a test of patience, endurance and
survival rather than a smooth passage.
Earlier,
when rocks would fall and during heavy rains, travellers were often stranded
for days on either side. Today, that reality has changed, with journeys from
Digdol to the Ramsoo–Magarkote side now taking barely five minutes. This change
is not merely about reduced travel time but about the removal of fear that once
defined movement on this stretch. High in the fragile Himalayan terrain, the
Ramban–Banihal section remains one of the most challenging links between the
Kashmir Valley and the rest of India, where steep slopes and unstable geology
have long defied sustained surface-road stability.
It
is in this context that the Digdol–Panthyal Twin Tube Tunnel emerges as a
landmark intervention, offering uninterrupted connectivity and significantly
reducing both risk and travel time. Once fully operational, it will improve the
movement of transporters, tourists, local residents and security forces while
strengthening strategic mobility and enabling faster emergency response along
this crucial corridor. The project also reflects the broader vision of the
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to ensure reliable all-weather
connectivity on NH-44, where isolation due to road closures has long been a
recurring challenge.
However,
this achievement also carries a deep and painful memory. On 20 May 2022, a
portion of the tunnel collapsed during construction, trapping around 13
labourers at the site. While some were rescued, others remained trapped under
debris for hours before losing their lives. The incident brought construction
to a temporary halt and exposed the severe geological risks involved in
building infrastructure in such fragile mountain conditions, while also
revealing the human cost behind large-scale development. A solemn tribute is
due to these brave workers whose sacrifice is permanently etched into the
foundation of this tunnel. They were silent contributors to a structure that
now stands as a symbol of progress and resilience.
Even
as this milestone is being celebrated, the reality of NH-44 remains uneven and
incomplete. While major progress has been achieved on the Ramban–Banihal
stretch, several other sections continue to struggle. The damage caused by
cloudbursts and landslides in April 2025 has still not been fully restored in
many areas. Near Kela Morh Tunnel, stretches remain heavily damaged and
continue to operate as single-lane corridors, causing congestion and delays.
Similarly, the Seri area remains highly vulnerable to weather conditions and
slope instability, reflecting the continuing challenges of maintaining
infrastructure in such a sensitive Himalayan landscape.
This
contrast presents a difficult truth. While the Digdol–Panthyal Twin Tube Tunnel
represents a major leap in infrastructure, the broader NH-44 corridor still
suffers from unresolved weaknesses. Several stretches once inaugurated with
promises of all-weather connectivity have either deteriorated under natural
pressures or remain inadequately restored even after considerable time. This
raises important questions about long-term planning, maintenance and resilience
in such a fragile terrain. Yet despite these concerns, the tunnel remains a
significant achievement, marking a shift from reactive road clearance to
proactive engineering solutions.
Still,
this progress must always be viewed with balance and responsibility.
Infrastructure in the Himalayas cannot be treated as a one-time accomplishment;
it demands continuous monitoring, repair and adaptation. Without it, even the
most advanced tunnels risk being surrounded by vulnerable stretches that dilute
their impact.
The
Digdol–Panthyal Twin Tube Tunnel therefore stands as both progress and
remembrance. It is a symbol of safer connectivity and modern engineering, but
equally a tribute to the workers who lost their lives in its creation. Above
all, it reminds us that every structure built in these mountains carries within
it a human story of effort, risk and sacrifice.
