Jammu Opens Road To Valley Of Flowers, Targets Eco-Tourism Expansion Push
Jammu and Kashmir has opened a critical new road link to the remote Valley of Flowers in Doda district, marking a significant boost for sustainable tourism and rural development in the region. The 10-km road from Padri to Bhal Padri, nestled in the higher reaches of the Kailash range, now offers tourists access to one of the Union Territory’s most scenic alpine meadows. The move also strengthens tribal outreach, infrastructure, and economic prospects in an ecologically sensitive yet previously isolated landscape.
The road, which cuts through the dense pine, birch, and fir forests of the Kailash range, is part of broader regional connectivity efforts to transform tourism in tribal and border zones. Officials confirmed that blacktopping work would begin post-monsoon, while an additional 7 km road is under development to link Bhal Padri with Gandoh, another key point in the Doda region. The project is expected to create jobs, increase footfall, and offer safer travel options. To promote the area, a collaborative festival will be held at Bhal Padri on July 20, organised by the J&K Tourism Department, Doda district administration, and local environmental and cultural societies. Alongside cultural programming, infrastructure like accommodation, restaurants, and cable cars are being readied to attract nature tourists and skiers.
In parallel, the Central government has approved a record ₹4,224 crore under PMGSY for constructing 316 roads in J&K, including 31 roads in Doda alone. This rural connectivity drive aims to link 390 habitations across conflict-prone districts, boosting healthcare access, education, and local commerce while aiding anti-insurgency measures. Officials stress that enhanced accessibility to untouched destinations like Bhal Padri will offer sustainable alternatives to overburdened tourist hubs, helping conserve biodiversity while enabling inclusive economic growth. As tourism gears up, stakeholders are cautiously optimistic that better road connectivity will help redefine development in the highlands of Jammu. As Jammu and Kashmir positions itself as a model for sustainable high-altitude tourism, the Bhal Padri development symbolises a critical intersection of environmental stewardship, tribal inclusion, and regional growth.
While infrastructure lays the groundwork, the long-term success of such initiatives will hinge on maintaining ecological balance, ensuring community participation, and safeguarding cultural heritage. For the remote valleys of Doda, the road to prosperity has finally opened—but it must remain as green as the meadows it leads to.
