J&K Plans New Srinagar-Pahalgam Road to Boost Tourism

17 Mar 2025 CW Team

The Jammu & Kashmir Public Works (R&B) Department has announced plans to construct an alternative road from Srinagar to Pahalgam via Khrew, Wahab Sahib, Syedabad (Pastuna), Karmula Tral, and Lehndajan. The new route is expected to reduce the travel distance between Srinagar and Pahalgam by approximately 30 kilometers, enhancing connectivity and promoting tourism in the lesser-explored upper regions of Tral.

The project was discussed in response to a Starred Assembly Question raised by MLA Pampore, retired Justice Hasnain Masoodi. The Minister Incharge highlighted that the initiative would boost tourism and create employment opportunities in tourism and related sectors.

The proposed road consists of two segments:

Segment 1: Wahab Sahib Khrew to Pastuna, spanning 8 kilometers with an estimated cost of Rs 270 million (approximately $3.2 million). This segment requires acquiring 108 kanals of forest land and felling 845 trees, pending forest clearance. Segment 2: Tral-Bathnoor Bugmad to Pahalgam, with an estimated cost of Rs 441 million (approximately $5.3 million). This stretch also passes through forested areas, requiring the removal of numerous Kail and Deodar trees.

While the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for both segments are prepared, the project's progress is contingent upon environmental approvals and securing necessary funding. The road is anticipated to drive economic growth by attracting tourists to the picturesque but underexplored Tral region.

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