Minister for R&B Abdul Majid Wani Wednesday said he is quite hopeful that government of India shall accord sanction for construction of two much important tunnels to connect Sudh Mahadev with Marmat Doda and Dessa Doda with Kapran in Kashmir valley and also shall declare Pul Doda Exit (Pul Doda) Desa – Gai – Hingipora – Kapran – Verinag road in District Doda & Anantnag as National Highway.In a statement he said, he has time and again, apprised the government of India about need for construction of an alternative national highway, to link Udhampur district with Kashmir valley via Chenani antalai-SudhMahadev-Marmat- Doda-Dessa and Kapran in Kashmir valley.
“The existing National Highway NH1A remains overburdened throughout the year and things become really messy during annual tourist season and holy Yatra to Shri Amarnath. Further the NH1B connecting Batote with Kishtwar has been declared unsafe due to the pondage of Baglihar reservoir and putting this road to further use is not advisable as it may lead to irreparable losses to public and property. It is noteworthy that during 2008 around half a kilometer patch of NH1B was washed off due to capillary action caused by Baglihar pondage,” Wani said.