By: Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar: The preparation of detailed project report (DPR) for strategically-important Poonch-Uri road is in progress and it is scheduled to be completed in April.
Documents accessed by The Precious Kashmir show that preparation of DPR for the ambitious project is in progress. The deadline for completion of DPR is April 11, 2022.
The prestigious project is part of the Prime Minister’s Development Project (PMDP) for Jammu and Kashmir. Out of Rs 80000 crore package, Rs 42611 crore have been kept for road and highway projects.
The documents also reveal that the consultant has submitted alignment options of the road to the Border Roads Organization (BRO).
The documents further reveal that comments of Army formation have been sought for assessing operational requirements for the project
The project of direct connectivity between Uri in north Kashmir and Poonch area in Jammu province has been mooted keeping in view the “importance of both these places from security point of view.”
Before 1947, a road connecting Uri and Poonch passed through Haji Pir Pass which now falls in Pakistan- Occupied Kashmir. The Pass reducing the distance of 600-650 km between Uri and Poonch was captured by Indian forces during the 1965 War. However, Pakistan regained possession of the Pass as a result of the Tashkent agreement, under which India and Pakistani forces retreated to their earlier positions.
