Jammu Har Ki Pauri Road To Bahu Fort In Ruins For Over A Year
Jammu’s critical half-kilometre stretch from Har Ki Pauri to Bahu Fort continues to remain in a crumbling state, blocking access to a key religious and tourist destination for over a year. With the road battered by neglect, riddled with debris, and impassable even for pedestrians, residents, pilgrims, and commuters are left to fend for themselves. Civic agencies have failed to take responsibility, exposing deep systemic apathy and infrastructure failure in the heart of one of Jammu’s busiest cultural corridors.
Rubble, loose stones, and muddy craters dominate the stretch, making it nearly inaccessible. Local residents say the road has not been maintained or repaired since it was first damaged last year. With the rainy season setting in, the condition has only worsened. Slippery patches and water-filled potholes now pose serious risks to children, the elderly, and even ambulances, which are often forced to take longer routes during emergencies. The road’s significance goes beyond being a commuter corridor. It leads to Bahu Fort, one of Jammu’s major religious and tourist hubs. Devotees visiting the iconic temple and tourists exploring the historical precincts must now either abandon vehicles at a distance or brave hazardous terrain. The inaccessibility has led to declining footfall and economic losses for local businesses operating in the area, including eateries, shops, and guides who rely on daily pilgrim traffic.Residents have long voiced their concerns, filing multiple complaints with the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Public Works Department (PWD).
According to residents, various officials visited the site, made assessments, and promised swift repairs, but those promises remain unfulfilled. The road continues to crumble, and frustration is mounting among citizens. “What should have been a simple patching-up job has turned into an urban nightmare,” said a local trader, echoing the sentiment of dozens of shopkeepers affected by the downturn in foot traffic. “If the road had led to a government office or a VIP residence, it would have been fixed in days. But since it affects common people and small businesses, no one cares.” With monsoon rains now lashing the region, the threat of accidents and waterlogging looms large. Children who walk to school along the route must be accompanied by guardians, and two-wheeler riders often skid while navigating the broken terrain.
Residents are now demanding urgent intervention from the top brass of the municipal and public works departments. They call for immediate patchwork to make the road passable, followed by durable reconstruction to ensure long-term safety and accessibility. With the festive season approaching and pilgrim numbers expected to rise, the need for restoration has never been more urgent.
