Srinagar, Mar 20: The government Thursday said that there are no plans for four-lane major stretches of the Sopore-Kupwara road. In response to a question in the legislative assembly, the Minister in charge stated in a written reply that while certain sections are being upgraded, no proposal has been submitted for the expansion of the Public Works Department (PWD)- stretch.
The response came after legislator Mir Mohammad Fayaz sought details regarding the submission of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for four-laning, the reasons for delays, and the steps taken to allocate funds. The Minister clarified that the road from Sangrama to Kulangam via Sopore, which falls under PWD, has no plans for upgrade, and no DPR has been prepared for this purpose.
However, the stretch from Kulangam to Kupwara (NH701), which is managed by BEACON, is undergoing upgradation to a two-lane road with paved shoulders. Under the Cities & Towns Programme, 11.50 km of this road, with a 7.5-meter-wide carriageway, was blacktopped during 2024–25.
For the remaining 16.20 km, a DPR titled “Upgradation of Sangrama Sopore Sagipora Road” has been prepared at an estimated cost of ₹1,811.54 lakh. The proposal is currently under consideration for funding under NABARD’s Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF-XXX), and work will commence upon approval.
The Minister further stated that the project’s completion timeline depends on NABARD’s sanction, and no specific deadline has been provided. The legislature has urged expedited approvals to address transportation challenges and enhance road connectivity in North Kashmir.
