Srinagar, Jan 3: Residents and civil society groups in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district have expressed concern over what they describe as the prolonged neglect of the Anantnag–Doru–Verinag (ADV) road, a key arterial route that runs parallel to National Highway-44 and connects several densely populated areas.
The road serves as an alternate link to the highway, connects NH-44 at multiple points between Qazigund and Lower Munda, and provides access to the tourist destination of Verinag and the Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag campus at Dialgam. Locals say thousands of commuters use the road daily.
“We have seen significant improvement in road infrastructure across the region over the last five to six years, but this major road has been left out,” said Zahoor Malik, chairman of the Shahabad Development Forum.
Malik said the road is critical for mobility in South Kashmir. “It runs parallel to NH-44 and connects it at several places. The population depending on this stretch is nearly 300,000, and thousands of vehicles use it daily to access the highway,” he said.
He urged the government to grant the road National Highway status and extend it toward Doda to improve regional connectivity.
The Dooru Citizen Forum also raised concerns over the condition of the road, saying it has seen little change for decades.
“The status of the road is the same as it was 70 years ago. No widening or upgradation has been carried out,” said forum spokesperson Javaid Khan. He said the narrow carriageway leads to frequent traffic jams and creates difficulties for commuters, traders, students and emergency services.
Residents living along the Anantnag–Doru–Verinag corridor said daily travel has become increasingly challenging due to congestion and safety risks, especially during peak hours.
“This road leads to Verinag, which is a major tourist destination, and also to the GMC Anantnag campus at Dialgam. Considering its importance, upgradation of the road is urgently needed,” said Altaf Ahmad, a local resident.
Civil society groups and residents have urged the government to prioritise the widening and upgradation of the ADV road.
Responding to the concerns, Executive Engineer, Roads and Building (R&B) Dooru, Manzoor Khalid, said a proposal for upgradation of the Anantnag–Doru–Verinag road has been submitted under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF).
“Out of the total 30 Kilometers of the road, about 20 Kilometers fall under the Dooru R&B division, while the remaining stretch falls under the Anantnag division,” Khalid said.
He said the detailed project report (DPR) for the Dooru division has pegged the cost at Rs 180 crore. “
Another official said an additional Rs 70 crore approximately has been proposed for the road falling in Anantnag division, taking the total project cost to around Rs 250 crore.
He said that the project includes several bridges too.
However, the official did not specify a timeline for approval or execution of the project.
“The compensation to the people whose houses or land will be acquired during road widening is on the higher side; that is the reason the project is not taking up,” he said.