Saqib Afzal/ Danishwar Nisar / Sumaiya Nazir
Bandipora | February 25: The cries for national highway status to Srinagar-Bandipora-Tulail road are growing louder with people alleging that the development of the district is on hold owing to poor connectivity.
Despite being known for its rich history, literary heritage, and the famous Wular Lake, Bandipora continues to struggle with poor road infrastructure. Since being designated a district in 2007, the lack of proper connectivity has hindered economic growth and posed risks to commuters.
Residents said the district’s development is on halt as all development is subservient to connectivity. “ It’s owing to poor roads that all other sectors including tourism, health, education, business and agriculture are lagging behind. Roads are key to development of all these sectors,” said Shabir Ahmad, a local resident. “Doctors, Teachers, Govt Employees of other districts prefer not to visit Bandipora or Gurez owing to poor road connectivity especially the narrow Srinagar-Bandipora-Gurez Road. Once roads are okay all other sectors will florish”.
Ahmad highlighted the dangers posed by narrow, poorly maintained roads, recalling a recent tragedy where four army soldiers lost their lives due to inadequate road widening. “Many accidents have occurred for the same reason,” Ahmad said. “With increasing vehicle traffic, the risks are only growing.”
Gurez, a rapidly growing tourist destination, has been attracting visitors from across India. However, dilapidated roads remain a major hurdle, especially during medical emergencies.
Businessman Tahir Mir pointed out that patients, including pregnant women, are often referred to Srinagar for treatment but struggle to reach hospitals in time due to the poor road conditions.
“We urge the government to act before more lives are lost,” Mir stated.
Another local businessman said truckers and other goods carrier vehicles refuse to carry freight to Bandipora and Gurez owing to narrow roads and subsequent slow movement of traffic that also impacts their business negatively.
Responding to local demands, the lawmakers from all the three constituencies of the district have jointly raised the demand of granting national highway status to Srinagar-Sumbal-Bandipora-Tulail Road.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah also raised the demand of highway status to Bandipora-Sumbal-Gurez with the Union minister for Road, Transport and Highways days after MLA Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat wrote a letter to the chief minister, seeking former’s intervention.
The chief minister while reverting to the legislator, in a letter, stated that the matter has been taken up by the Union ministry for consideration.
“This has reference to your D.O letter dated 20-12-2024, containing an issue relating to grant of National highway status the road from Sumbal to Gurez. The issue has been taken up with the Union Ministry vide officer letter No.HCM/PS/2024/ND-04 for consideration,” reads the letter.
Bhat has sought intervention of chief minister Omar Abdullah to have this “long pending demand duly considered for early redressal”.
He had stated that Bandipora’s main connectivity has not been accorded highway status from Sumbal to Gurez, despite its strategic, economic, and accessibility considerations.
MLA Sonawari, Advocate Hilal Akbar Lone, emphasized that the lack of proper road connectivity has limited access to key tourist destinations like Wular Lake, stalling economic progress and worsening unemployment.
“Tourism has not fully developed due to poor roads,” Lone said. “A well-developed highway will boost tourism and create jobs for locals.” Lone and other leaders from Bandipora, Gurez, and Sonawari constituencies are actively lobbying for the project.
“A good road is the backbone of progress—whether in education, healthcare, or tourism. We will continue to push for this crucial infrastructure upgrade,” Lone affirmed.
As calls for better connectivity grow louder, residents remain hopeful that authorities will take action to improve Bandipora’s infrastructure, economy, and safety. With strong backing from local leadership, the demand for National Highway status could soon become a reality, transforming the region’s development prospects.
