By: Mir Iqbal
Kupwara/Bandipora, August 19:
The proposed Bandipora–Lolab road, which has been discussed publicly for several years as a vital project for regional connectivity, has never been officially approved by any government department, according to RTI replies received recently.
The RTI applications were filed by The Spotlight’s reporter to verify the status of the road. In its response dated 1 August 2025, the R&B Division Bandipora stated that since 2007–2008, no Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared, nor has any administrative or technical sanction been issued for the Bandipora–Lolab road. The division also confirmed that there is no such project on record.
Likewise, a separate RTI reply from the R&B Division Lolab, dated 18 August 2025, stated that there is no sanction order, survey report, forest clearance, environmental assessment, tender process, contractor information or expenditure related to this road. All entries in the response were marked as Nil.
In recent years, people were repeatedly told that construction work had begun. A kutcha path was even cut on the Binlipora–Ketson side, which many believed to be part of the project. However, the RTI replies confirm that this was not part of any officially sanctioned plan.
Residents across the area have expressed disappointment and frustration. They say that the people of Lolab were kept in the dark for many years, as they continued to believe that the road was an approved government project. Many residents have pointed out that the road would have significantly benefited students, traders and patients by creating a direct route instead of the longer Kupwara route.
The RTI documents further show that no funds have ever been released for the road, no tender has been issued and no contractor has been appointed, which means there is no official record of any construction activity.
The departments have stated in their replies that the work can only begin once forest clearance is obtained and a DPR is formally prepared and approved. As of now, the project remains only a proposal and has never been officially initiated.
