Srinagar, Jun 09 (KNO): Residents in north Kashmir's Bandipora district celebrated on Tuesday after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) invited bids for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Sumbal-Bandipora-Gurez National Highway, a project long sought by locals.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), people gathered in various parts of the district, distributed sweets and burst firecrackers to mark what they described as a major step towards improving connectivity in the region.
Bandipora MLA Nizamuddin Bhat termed the development a "people's victory" and said the progress reflected years of collective efforts by residents.
"The people remained united on this issue and consistently raised their demand. The process has now moved forward, and the credit goes to the people of Bandipora," Bhat told reporters.
He appealed to residents to keep the issue above political considerations and said development projects should not become subjects of political rivalry.
According to Bhat, the proposed highway has the potential to transform connectivity between Srinagar, Bandipora and the border district of Gurez, besides creating opportunities in tourism, trade and employment.
Gurez, located close to the Line of Control (LoC), remains cut off from the Kashmir Valley for extended periods during winter because of heavy snowfall and road closures. Residents have for years demanded improved road infrastructure and reliable all-weather connectivity.
The NHAI's decision to initiate the DPR process marks the first formal step towards the execution of the highway project. Residents expressed hope that the proposal would now move swiftly through the remaining stages of approval and implementation.
Meanwhile, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi welcomed the development and said the proposed road would benefit thousands of people in the region.
He claimed that MP Engineer Rashid had raised the issue of road connectivity to Gurez during a meeting with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in Parliament last year and sought priority for the project.
The initiation of the DPR process is a positive development for Bandipora and Gurez and could improve accessibility while boosting tourism and economic activity in the area, Nabi said.
He expressed hope that the DPR would be completed on time and that the project would start early—(KNO)