The Jammu and Kashmir government is pursuing the clearances required to begin work on the 18.824-km Barnai-Jawdora Link Road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary informed the Legislative Assembly that departments were coordinating to resolve pending issues and enable the early commencement of construction.

The Deputy Chief Minister was responding to a Calling Attention Notice moved by MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan of Gurezi on the status of the Jawdora-Barni road. He said the proposal would be submitted on the PARIVESH portal after the required details on tree enumeration and the forest land involved were received, with construction to begin after forest clearance.

The project was sanctioned by the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, under the Union Ministry of Rural Development, in 2025 at a total cost of Rs. 474.24 mn. It is intended to provide all-weather connectivity to the Jawdora habitation and improve access to the remote area.

The work was tendered and allotted within the prescribed timelines, while the executing agency has mobilised personnel and machinery. A temporary diversion across the Kishanganga River has also been constructed to support the movement of construction resources and prepare the site for the main works.

As the entire road alignment passes through forest land, statutory forest clearance is mandatory before construction can proceed. The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) Bandipora initiated the process in advance and has conducted joint inspections with the Forest Department. It is also coordinating with the Geology and Mining Department for geological analysis and the Revenue Department to identify suitable disposal sites for earthwork and muck material, as required for the PARIVESH submission. The government reiterated that it would expedite road infrastructure while complying with statutory and environmental requirements for remote and border habitations.