SRINAGAR: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated the process for preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Sumbal–Bandipora–Gurez Highway, marking a preliminary step towards improving road connectivity in North Kashmir.
The development follows the issuance of a tender for the DPR, which will assess the feasibility, alignment and engineering requirements of the proposed highway aimed at strengthening access to the remote Gurez region.
Welcoming the move, AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said the development reflects progress on a long-standing demand for improved infrastructure in North Kashmir and claimed that the issue was taken up by Member of Parliament Er Rashid during a meeting with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari during the last Winter Session of Parliament.
He stated that during the meeting, Er Rashid had urged prioritisation of key road infrastructure projects, including enhanced connectivity to Gurez, which remains cut off for extended periods during winter months.
According to Inam Un Nabi, the initiation of the DPR process is a positive development that could pave the way for improved accessibility, tourism growth, and economic activity in Bandipora and Gurez, subject to further approvals and execution stages.
He expressed hope that the DPR would be completed expeditiously, followed by timely execution of the project, which has been a long-pending public demand.
The project forms part of broader efforts to enhance road infrastructure connectivity under the National Highways Authority of India framework for strategic and regional development.
