Pir Panjal Road Project Races Ahead To Transform Travel, Tourism, And Trade
The Megha-Budhal-Mahore-Gool road project cutting across the Pir Panjal region is rapidly progressing, with over 50 km already developed under the Border Roads Organisation’s oversight. Once completed, the 114-km corridor will serve as a vital double-lane highway connecting Jammu’s remote hill districts, enhancing access, reducing travel time, and improving livelihoods. The project, despite extreme terrain challenges, is seen as a transformative step for regional tourism, trade, and employment, with heavy machinery and manpower deployed to keep momentum strong.
Currently, construction is underway on the first two packages of the project, with work having already crossed the 50-kilometre mark. Designed as a double-lane national highway, this route will link the districts of Rajouri, Budhal, Gool, Ramban, and Reasi—areas that were previously served only by narrow, seasonal roads. The initiative is expected to reduce travel time by more than half for local residents and commercial transporters. BRO officials involved in the project have acknowledged the extreme challenges of working in high-altitude, landslide-prone zones. Frequent rain, unstable slopes, and rocky terrain have made construction both dangerous and logistically complex. Yet, the commitment remains firm. Workers, engineers, and machinery operators continue operations even under difficult conditions to meet ambitious timelines.
For locals, the road is already becoming a symbol of change. What once took six hours to traverse now takes two, according to residents involved in the project. More than just improving mobility, the initiative has emerged as a major employment generator. From machine operators and drivers to engineers and day labourers, thousands of local youth are now actively engaged, reducing regional unemployment and stimulating micro-economies. Infrastructural support has also been ramped up, with four new bridges under construction along the route. These will ensure year-round reliability, even during peak monsoon seasons when landslides typically cut off remote communities. Once fully operational, the corridor is expected to give a substantial boost to tourism by offering scenic yet accessible passage through the Pir Panjal range.
The Megha-Budhal-Mahore-Gool road stands not only as a logistical breakthrough but also as a model for development in other Himalayan states, where topographical complexity often hinders connectivity. Officials maintain that while the road’s completion timeline depends on weather conditions and terrain management, the momentum and vision behind the project remain unwavering. As Jammu and Kashmir continues to invest in sustainable, inclusive infrastructure, this road is expected to serve as both a symbol and a conduit for growth—redefining mobility and economic opportunity across the Pir Panjal frontier.
