By Urdu Report Editorial Team
The federal government has proposed transferring seven major roads in Gilgit-Baltistan to the federal government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s tourism initiatives.
The seven roads have a combined length of 464 kilometers. Under the proposal, the National Highway Authority (NHA) would take responsibility for their construction, expansion, rehabilitation and maintenance.
Roads proposed for federal control
An NHA official told the media that Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan had proposed transferring the seven important roads from the Gilgit-Baltistan government to the federal government as part of the prime minister’s tourism initiative.
The proposed roads include:
- 54-kilometer Astore Chilam Chowki Road
- 31-kilometer Deosai Skardu Road
- 100-kilometer Skardu Khaplu Road
- 17-kilometer Skardu (Thorgo) Shigar Road
- 36-kilometer Karakoram Highway Naltar to Satrangi Lake Road
- 121-kilometer Thalichi Astore Rattu Shounter Road
- 105-kilometer Gorigot Shagarthang Skardu Road
The Thalichi Astore Rattu Shounter Road and Gorigot Shagarthang Skardu Road are currently under construction.
NHA to handle construction and maintenance
According to the NHA official, the Gilgit-Baltistan cabinet has approved the proposal, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has also been signed.
Under the plan, the NHA would oversee the construction, expansion, rehabilitation and long-term maintenance of the seven roads.
The official said the proposal would now be presented to the federal cabinet for approval. If approved, the NHA would assume responsibility for the development and long-term maintenance of all seven roads.
The federal government would provide funding for the road projects. Previously, the Gilgit-Baltistan government had been responsible for the costs of road maintenance, expansion and rehabilitation.
Toll tax proposed for tourists
The official also said a proposal had been made to impose toll tax on tourists visiting Gilgit-Baltistan. Local residents, however, would be fully exempt from the tax.
According to the official, revenue generated through the toll tax would be spent on improving Gilgit-Baltistan’s road network.
Tourism sector welcomes proposal
People associated with the tourism sector in Gilgit-Baltistan, including hotel owners and transporters, have welcomed the federal government’s initiative.
Local stakeholders said the number of tourists visiting Gilgit-Baltistan is increasing every year. They supported the proposal to introduce a toll tax for road infrastructure development but said local residents should remain exempt.
