Srinagar: The union government has unveiled plans to construct an ambitious new highway linking Magam, Budgam in Kashmir Valley to Surankote in Poonch, Jammu, via the picturesque Yusmarg and Doodhpathri. This road is expected to provide an alternative road connectivity between Pirpanjal valley in Jammu to north Kashmir, reducing the heavy load on the existing Srinagar-Jammu NH44 national highway.
Details available from the Revenue Department suggests that the highway would have several sections, which have been designated as packages. It would be the first such modern highway to traverse some of the most scenic yet scantily accessible along the Pirpanjal mountain range in Kashmir.
The route and distances of the new highway
The new highway – designated as NH 701A – starts in Magam, in Budgam district in Kashmir, and extends westward to Surankote in Poonch, passing through several towns and Karewa landscapes. Officials, citing the route plan, told Ziraat Times that the highway spans approximately 150 km, and its construction is divided into three major segments:
Package 1 (31.24 km) – This stretch begins at Surankote, passes through Bafliaz, and leads to the Pir Ki Gali (PKG), which is the highest point of the road. It then descends into Chattapani on the existing Mughal Road.
Package 2 (28.40 km) – Extending from Chattapani, this segment descends into Shopian, and then ascends back towards Yusmarg though the Pakherpora-Yusmarg road stretch.
Package 3 (76 km) – This is the longest section of the new road, connecting Yousmarg with Magam through Doodhpathri and Beerwah. From Magam the road finally integrates at Narbal with the Srinagar-Uri highway.
Officials say that while the project seeks to use some forest areas, which may not require land acquisition, the project may necessitate land acquisition, which may displace some families and affect agricultural livelihoods in certain areas.
As the highway will serve as a vital alternative trade link between north, western parts of Karewa Kashmir, and Jammu, it may provide an alternative road link with the rest of the country in fair weather conditions. The horticulture sector in the low-productivity Kandi areas of Budgam is also expected to get value addition through better connectivity and access to markets.
While the new highway is anticipated to make destinations like Yousmarg, Doodhpathri, and other areas of Pirpanjal accessible for tourism, especially winter tourism, concerns are also being expressed for the environmental and social impact the project may entail.
The executing agency, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), officials said, would adopt environmentally sensitive engineering solutions, such as tunnels, semi-tunnels and elevated sections, to minimize these impacts.
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