Bandipora, July 5 (KNS): Over a decade after work began, the proposed Bandipora–Lolab road in North Kashmir remains largely abandoned—its promise of connectivity buried under political pledges and bureaucratic inertia.

Designed to link Bandipora and Kupwara districts through the breathtaking Lolab Valley, the 37-kilometre route was expected to be completed by late 2010. But 14 years later, only 5 kilometres between Binlipora and Ketson have undergone preliminary earthwork. The rest lies untouched.
Locals said the road was initially proposed in the 1970s by then Minister Ghulam Rasool Kaar, but the road was revived with much fanfare in 2007.

Locals and civil society members voice strong resentment over the repeated failures of successive administrations. “This road has become a casualty of political convenience. Governments come and go, but nothing moves on the ground,” said a civil society member from Aloosa, who suspects a deliberate effort by vested interests to prevent the road’s completion.

In 2017, community members raised these concerns during an on-site protest, accusing political lobbies of obstructing progress to maintain regional control. Though leaders, including former Rural Development Minister Abdul Haq Khan, pledged to resolve issues like forest clearances and land acquisition, those assurances have yet to materialise.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The Forest Department’s objections and environmental concerns have continued to delay any meaningful construction.

Suggestions like building a tunnel to minimise ecological damage have been discussed but never implemented.

Now, in 2025, hope is wearing thin. Villagers from Aloosa, Binlipora, Ketson and surrounding hamlets say the project is trotted out during election campaigns only to be shelved afterwards. “It’s the same story every five years—big speeches, no action,” said Mohammad Ibraheem Chechi of Binlipora.

Completion of the road could reduce the travel distance between Bandipora and Kupwara by over 30 kilometres, and more significantly, open an alternate gateway to the Lolab Valley. Locals believe such a link would not only boost regional tourism but also energise trade and inter-district ties.
“More than just a road, it’s a lifeline for development. Connecting Lolab through Bandipora would transform both districts,” said a youth from Ketson, gesturing toward the still-unpaved track.

Once again, the people are calling on authorities to move beyond paperwork and political lip service. “We’ve waited for decades. Enough with the delays—this road needs to be built now,” he added. (KNS)