MoRTH to study Achabal-Shangus-Inderwal NH proposal

Srinagar, Nov 12: The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has directed its officials to examine a proposal from the Jammu and Kashmir government seeking the declaration of the Achabal-Shangus-Inderwal road as a National Highway.

The direction follows a letter from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, urging the construction of a tunnel across the Pir Panjal range to connect the twin valleys of Warwan and Marwah in the Inderwal constituency, a move aimed at ending their decades-long isolation.

In its response to the CM’s communication, accessed by Greater Kashmir, the Union Surface Ministry said: “I understand the importance of highway infrastructure projects in your state and constituency. My ministry receives proposals from state governments and UTs for declaration and upgradation of state roads as national highways. Declaration of state roads as national highways is considered from time to time based on criteria for declaration of new highways, requirement of connectivity, and synergy with PM Gati Shakti. I have directed concerned officers to examine your proposal in the light of these guidelines.”

In the maiden assembly session after the formation of the government, the MLA from Anantnag East, Riyaz Ahmad Khan, proposed the construction of a tunnel across the Pir Panjal range, suggesting a route from Daradpora in the Chatapal-Shangus area of Anantnag district to Choidraman in Warwan.

Khan said the tunnel would provide better connectivity between Kashmir and the Inderwal-Kishtwar region, ensuring an all-weather route.

He said that the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) had already proposed the tunnel.

Currently, the only surface link to the region is the 100-km Marwah-Warwan-Kokernag road, which was opened in 2007.

However, the road is not an all-weather route and remains closed for up to six months each year due to heavy snow accumulation at Margan Top.

As a result, around 40,000 residents across 40 villages remain cut off during winter.

The road is also prone to accidents and has claimed several lives over the years.

Locals have long demanded an alternative route from Chatapal-Dardpora in Shangus to connect the valleys via Choidraman, citing the hardships caused by isolation.

Since the valleys of Warwan and Marwah are not connected to the Kishtwar district headquarters, residents must trek a perilous 30-km mountainous stretch to reach Dachhan in Kishtwar.

Residents have also been advocating for another tunnel from Marwah to Chatroo to connect the valleys directly with the district headquarters.

Warwan is just 120 km from Anantnag town but over 250 km from Kishtwar – a disparity locals say emphasises the need for better connectivity.

Greater Kashmir carried a series of stories highlighting the plight of residents in the twin isolated valleys.