Avinash Azad
The government has officially acknowledged the strategic importance of Gurez, confirming that the region shares its borders with Gilgit on one side and Neelam Valley of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on the other.
In response to a question by MLA Gurez, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, in the Assembly, the government stated: “It is a fact that Gurez shares its borders with Gilgit on one side and Neelam Valley of PoK on the other side.” When asked whether Gurez holds strategic significance, the government affirmed: “Gurez holds significant strategic importance due to its geographical location and proximity to the Line of Control (LoC).”
On the demand for the construction of a National Highway from Srinagar to Gurez or the declaration of the existing road as a strategic route, the government informed that the matter has been taken up with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), Government of India (GoI).
“In view of the strategic importance of the road, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has been repeatedly requested to consider declaring the Srinagar-Sumbal-Bandipora-Gurez road, including a tunnel at Razdan Pass, as a National Highway. However, the sanction is still awaited.” The demand for improved road connectivity in Gurez has been a longstanding issue, with locals and representatives stressing its crucial role in security, development, and year-round accessibility for the remote region.
