Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Aug 16
Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination known as “mini-Switzerland”, is set to receive motorable road connectivity, offering visitors an alternative to the existing trek and pony services.
The foundation stone for the more than 4-km road was laid by Pahalgam MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani, also known as Kaloo.
The road will connect Baisaran with the Circuit Road and is estimated to cost Rs 6.09 crore.
The project will be executed by the Public Works Department’s Roads and Buildings Division in Pahalgam under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, or NABARD. Officials said construction was expected to take two to three years.
The project comes after the April 22, 2025 attack at Baisaran that killed 25 tourists and pony operator Syed Adil Shah, who was killed while trying to save visitors. The meadow has remained closed since the attack.
Visitors currently travel about 3.5 km across rugged terrain to reach the destination, either on foot or by pony.
Kaloo said the decision to build the road was taken after the attack, describing the incident as a national tragedy.
“The attack on tourists was a national tragedy that left a stain on us, particularly for me as the local MLA,” he said, adding that the lack of connectivity had also made it difficult for security forces to reach the area.
He said the road could have made a difference during the attack.
The absence of road access also complicated the evacuation of victims. The injured and those killed were carried from the site on horseback, all-terrain vehicles and by people carrying them on their shoulders before being taken to the Pahalgam health facility.
An official said several people died because of delayed medical attention.
Officials said the proposed road was intended not only to improve tourist access but also to strengthen the ability of security forces to reach and secure the destination.
The project has raised concerns about its impact on pony operators, but Kaloo said their services would continue.
“The trek would remain, and pony operators can continue their services once the road is completed,” he said, adding that tourists would retain the option of using ponies.
He said Baisaran would add another major attraction to Pahalgam’s tourism circuit, alongside Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari.
The road is also expected to create opportunities for local taxi and cab operators, while providing winter connectivity to the meadow, Kaloo said.
A cable car project linking the Circuit Road with Baisaran is also being planned, he said, adding that its survey had already been completed.
Kaloo thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for facilitating the road project and said he had given it the highest priority.
He also paid tribute to those killed in the April 2025 attack.
