New road to restore connectivity between Doda and Kishtwar

Bhaderwah, Feb 11 (ANI): Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has begun work on opening an alternative road to connect Doda and Kishtwar in Kashmir that got cut-off after heavy rain washed off parts of a crucial highway last week.

Doda and Kishtwar districts were cut off from rest of the state, as heavy overnight rains washed off parts of a road near the Baglihar power project last Saturday.

Half-a-kilometer stretch of the road between Batote-Kishtwar National Highway-1B collapsed was water from Chenab river submerged it.

Officials said an alternative route was being re-opened as a stop-gap measure."We received information that the Doda-Bhaderwah road was severally damaged and the road needs realignment. Making a new road there is impossible, so our authorities directed us to open the Bani-Bhaderwah road so that the traffic must be diverted. We have sent our workers for surveying. They would inform us of the condition of the snow on top areas," said Chander Shekhar Joshi, a BRO official.

Resident said they were obviously happy over the development.

"We are extremely happy after hearing the news the Jammu and Kashmir Government started work at the Bani-Bhaderwah road. This will not only help the Bhaderwah, but the areas of Kishtawar and Bani too. All of us want to that this road will open as early as possible. The fruit market of Pathankot will be easily accessible. This would also reduce the problem of unemployment in the Bhaderwah," said Imtiaz Ahmad Butt, a resident of Bhaderwah.

Usually, the Bani-Bhaderwah road remains closed during winter. By Tahir Nadeem Khan (ANI)