Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today informed the House that in view of the strategic importance of Srinagar-Bandipora-Gurez Highway road, the government has already taken up the matter with the Union Ministry for Road Transport & Highways, through a series of communications.

The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Nazir Ahmad Khan in the Legislative Assembly.

He said that the government has requested for consideration of the project for declaration of Srinagar-Sumbal-Bandipora-Gurez road, including the tunnel at Razdan pass, as National Highway. He informed the House that the sanction, however, is awaited. He said that Gurez holds significant strategic importance due to its geographical location and proximity to the LoC.

The Deputy Chief Minister assured the House that the government would again take up the matter with the Central Government for early approval.

Legislators; Irshad Rasool Kar, Nizam ud din Bhat and Hilal Akbar Lone raised supplementaries.