Suhail Rather
Srinagar, Mar 07 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir government has approached the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) for approval to upgrade two key roads in Bandipora to National Highway status. This move aims to improve both strategic and economic connectivity in the district.
In response to a question from Bandipora lawmaker Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, who also oversees the Planning and Roads & Buildings (R&B) department, confirmed that efforts are being made to upgrade important road networks.
He said that two major routes—Sangrama-Sopore-Watlab-Bandipora-Sumbal (78 km) and Sumbal-Bandipora-Gurez, which includes a proposed tunnel at Razdan Pass (128 km)—have been recommended for National Highway status.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelHowever, final approval from the Union Ministry is still pending.
The government is working to improve rural road connectivity under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Vertical-IV. This initiative, planned for the years 2024-25 to 2028-29, aims to connect villages with populations of over 250 people, as per the 2011 Census.
To identify priority areas for new road projects, officials are using the Gram Sadak Survey App to conduct detailed habitation surveys, including in Bandipora district. Once the survey is completed, a proposal will be sent to the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) for approval. (KNS)