Govt. to Review Vital Kashmir Road Projects Following Parliamentary Inquiry

Suhail Khan

New Delhi, Dec 12: The Government of India has announced it will conduct a formal assessment of two significant road infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir, following a direct inquiry in Parliament.

The action comes after Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan, a Member of Parliament, raised the matter in the Lok Sabha as per Kashmir Convener, seeking an update on the prolonged proposals for the Bandipora–Lolab road and a four-lane corridor connecting Sangrama to Chowkibal via Sopore and Handwara.

In a written query to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Ramzan as per this newspaper specifically asked whether the government recognizes the strategic necessity of these projects and what concrete steps are being taken to initiate construction.

Providing a written response on behalf of the ministry, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, stated that both projects are “under active consideration.” He outlined the procedural roadmap, confirming that the ministry will now undertake a detailed assessment, including necessary feasibility studies. This process will lead to the formulation of comprehensive Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).

“Based on the outcome of this technical evaluation, the Ministry will proceed further on these two important projects,” Minister Gadkari stated, clarifying that any implementation will be contingent upon the findings of these preparatory studies.

Meanwhile, Sopore constituency legislator Irshad Rasool Kar speaking to Kashmir Convener expressed his gratitude to Member of Parliament Chowdhury Ramzan for advancing two critical, long-pending infrastructure demands for North Kashmir.

MLA Kar emphasized the strategic importance of the proposed Bandipora–Lolab road and a new four-lane corridor connecting Sangrama to Chowkibal via Sopore and Handwara. These projects, he stated, have been persistently advocated for by local residents and their elected representatives.

“These routes are vital for enhancing connectivity across the northern region,” Kar stated. “Their completion is expected to stimulate economic growth, improve accessibility for multiple districts, and deliver substantial strategic and developmental benefits to North Kashmir.”