Srinagar, Nov 09: Member of Parliament (MP) for Anantnag-Rajouri, Mian Altaf Ahmed on Saturday expressed serious concerns over the sluggish pace of work and the deteriorating condition of the vital 220-km Jammu-Poonch highway, which is critical for connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir. The highway, managed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), has been facing delays in construction, leading to increased public inconvenience and raising questions about its strategic importance.
In a statement issued here, Mian Altaf said the highway is currently in a dilapidated state, causing major disruptions to traffic and affecting local communities, especially in the border areas. “The condition of the Jammu-Poonch highway is causing great hardship to the people. This road is crucial not only for local connectivity but also for strategic defence purposes, yet the pace of work has been disappointingly slow,” he said.
The MP criticised the BRO for its “inefficiency” and “delay” in completing the essential infrastructure. “The slow pace of work on such an important project undermines its purpose and jeopardises its strategic value,” he said.
The Jammu-Poonch highway, particularly the Rajouri–Thanamandi–Bafliaz section, plays a key role in connecting the twin border districts of Jammu and Poonch and is a vital link between Jammu and Srinagar. According to Altaf, the road’s poor condition hampers the movement of both civilian traffic and security forces, making it even more critical to fast-track its development.
The senior National Conference leader urged the BRO to prioritise this strategic road and allocate necessary resources for its maintenance and reconstruction. He also called upon the concerned authorities to ensure that such projects are completed without further delay, saying that the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve better infrastructure to improve their daily lives and safeguard the region’s security.
