GILGIT(National Times)- The federal government has identified seven roads spanning 464 kilometres across Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) for federalisation under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s tourism initiative, with the routes to be constructed, widened, rehabilitated and maintained by the federal authorities to improve connectivity and promote tourism in the mountainous region.
An official of the National Highway Authority (NHA) told Dawn that Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan had proposed to the GB government that seven key roads across the region be handed over to the Centre under PM’s tourism initiative. The seven roads identified include the 54km Astore-Chilim Chowki Road, 31km Deosai-Skardu Road, 100km Skardu-Khaplu Road, 17km Skardu (Thorgu)-Shigar Road and the 36km Karakoram Highway-Naltar to Satrangi Lake Road.
The remaining two routes, the 121km Thalichi-Astore-Rattu-Shounter Road and the 105km Gorikot-Shagarthang-Skardu Road, are currently under construction.
The NHA official said the proposal had been approved by the GB cabinet and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had also been signed in this regard.
The move comes as the government seeks to expand tourism infrastructure in the region, where difficult terrain and limited road connectivity remain major challenges to exploiting its tourism potential.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening road connectivity to some of the region’s major tourism destinations, improving access to remote communities and facilitating travel across GB.
Roads in GB are frequently blocked by landslides, mudflows, heavy rainfall, avalanches, flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods (Glofs).
NHA’s role
Under the plan, the roads will be constructed, widened, rehabilitated and maintained by the NHA to improve connectivity and facilitate access to popular tourist destinations.
The official said that the proposal would be placed before the federal cabinet for approval. Once approved, the NHA would assume responsibility for the development and long-term upkeep of the seven road links, including their construction, widening, rehabilitation and maintenance.
Asked about funding, he said the federal government would provide funds for the project. Previously, the GB government had been bearing the cost of maintenance, widening and rehabilitation of the roads, he added.
The official said it had also been proposed that a toll tax be introduced for tourists visiting the scenic region, with a blanket exemption for local residents.
Revenue generated through the toll would be spent on improving the road network in GB, he said.
“With the number of tourists to Gilgit-Baltistan multiplying each year, the federal minister proposed introducing a toll tax to fund road infrastructure development. However, locals should be exempt from this tax,” the official said.
Move appreciated
People associated with the tourism sector, including hotel owners and transporters, welcomed the initiative and expressed hope that improved road maintenance and connectivity would help promote tourism.
Ikram Baig, president of the GB Association of Tour Operators, told Dawn that the initiative would help promote tourism in the region.
He said frequent road blockages were a serious issue for GB, as tourists were not only stranded for several days but residents also faced similar difficulties during bad weather.
He said there was hope for an improved road network in the region after the federal government assumed responsibility for the roads.
“This initiative can boost tourism. Delays in restoring road connectivity and frequent blockages have badly affected tourism in GB,” he said, adding that a reliable road network was essential for the sector.
Ayaz Ahmed Shigri, general secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan and owner of a guest house, said poor road connectivity remained a major hurdle to promoting tourism.
He too believed that the initiative would help enhance tourism in GB.
Asghar Khan, manager of Serena Hotel, told Dawn that tourists usually planned their visits according to fixed schedules.
He said frequent road blockages disrupted tourists’ plans and sometimes left them stranded in the region for days.
Such situations created a negative impression and discouraged tourists from visiting the region, he said.
“Many tourists, including national and international visitors, cancelled their plans to visit because of blocked roads,” Mr Khan said.
He said the federal government’s decision to take responsibility for the roads could help reduce the problem if the plan was implemented in its true spirit.
GB Tourism Minister Naiknaam Karim said accessibility played a major role in tourism development.
He said if the federal government took responsibility for the roads, the NHA could ensure better management and improvement of the network with greater resources.
