Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 30

The Centre has moved ahead with plans to improve year-round road access to the remote border regions of Tangdhar and Gurez in Jammu and Kashmir, with consultancy work awarded for the proposed Sadhna Tunnel and bids invited for a detailed project report for a tunnel at Razdan Pass.

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari provided the update in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha to a question from lawmaker Chowdhary Muhammad Ramzan.

Consultancy services for preparing the detailed project report for the Sadhna Tunnel on the Kupwara-Tangdhar section of National Highway-701 have been awarded, the minister said.

For Gurez, the government has invited bids for consultancy services to prepare a DPR for a proposed tunnel beneath Razdan Pass. The project is intended to improve access to the remote valley, which is cut off for months during winter because of heavy snowfall.

The ministry said Gurez and Marwah-Warwan do not lie on national highways and therefore fall outside its direct responsibility for national highway infrastructure.

During winter, authorities undertake snow clearance operations on national highways and roads maintained by the Border Roads Organisation to keep routes open wherever possible.

The Centre is also supporting healthcare infrastructure in the region. Under the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, Block Public Health Units have been sanctioned at Dawer in Gurez, Tangdhar and Teetwal, along with a primary health centre at Sheikhpora and a new type primary health centre at Bhagote.

During periods of prolonged road closure, critically ill patients from Gurez can be evacuated by helicopter or air to tertiary healthcare facilities outside the valley, with such operations coordinated by the district administration and health authorities.