SRINAGAR: Work on a significant 300-kilometre highway connecting Rajouri with Baramulla in north Kashmir is set to commence shortly. The project has been assigned to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for execution.
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), through its Regional Officer in Jammu, has tasked a consultant with providing Project Management Consultancy (PMC) services. These services include conducting a feasibility study, preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR), providing pre-construction assistance, and supervising construction for a two-lane highway with paved shoulders along NH-701A. The highway will connect key locations such as Shopian, Kellar, Pakherpora, Yousmarg, Doodhpathri, and Magam in Jammu and Kashmir.
Quoting an official, KNO reported that the project, estimated at Rs 3,300 crore, will link the Rajouri and Poonch districts in the Jammu division with the Kashmir Valley via the existing Mughal Road. The highway has been designated as National Highway 701A, with plans to extend it to Gulmarg and Baramulla in the Kashmir Valley.
The road will feature four lanes, with a total width of approximately 70 feet. Certain sections of the project have already been declared national highways.
The highway will begin at its junction with NH-1 near Narbal, connecting areas including Magam, Doodhpathri, Yousmarg, Pakherpora, Kellar, Shopian, and Bafliaz, before terminating at its junction with NH-144A near Surankote in Poonch.
The section between Magam and Surankote (Poonch) spans 159 km and will pass through several notable tourist destinations, including Yousmarg and Doodhpathri, situated in the foothills of upper Budgam. The route will also cover Charar-e-Sharief, Pakherpora, Kellar, Shopian, and Bafliaz.
This four-lane highway is expected to serve as an alternative to the Jammu-Srinagar highway, enhancing connectivity in the region and reducing traffic congestion on the current route.
In south Kashmir, the road will follow the Mughal Road alignment, passing through Zawoora, Mushwara, Shadimarg, Drabgam, Aglar, and Charipora, before continuing through Pakherpora, Yousmarg, Charar-e-Sharief, Doodhpathri, and Magam in central Kashmir.
The new highway will offer a shorter and more efficient travel route between Jammu and Kashmir, bypassing both Srinagar and Jammu.
The official confirmed that the project has been handed over to the BRO, with construction expected to start imminently. The highway is anticipated to be completed within two years, followed by a five-year maintenance period.
