People seek widening of Kupwara-Sopore highway

Kupwara, Jun 7: In a significant development, central government few years ago announced extension of Srinagar-Uri 4 lane highway up to Kupwara via Baramulla-Handwara but now voices are emerging that Kupwara-Sopore highway should also be developed as 4 lane since it happens to be the preferred route by most of the people in and outside Kupwara district.

Almost ninety percent of people use Kupwara-Sopore highway if they are supposed to visit Srinagar. People from Karnah, Keran, Machil, Lolab, Hyhama, Kralpora, Nagri Wari, Kandi, Ramhall, Rajwar, Mawer, Handwara use Kupwara-Sopore highway to proceed towards Srinagar or Jammu so developing Kupwara-Sopore highway as 4 lane was need of the hour. Not only Kupwara residents but people from other districts prefer to commute on Kupwara-Sopore highway because it happens to be the feasible and shortest route to commute to and fro. Kupwara Transporters Federation President told Greater Kashmir that extension of 4 lane to Kupwara via Handwara was a good step but Kupwara-Sopore highway should also be developed as 4 lane so that most of the people will be benefitted. “Not only Srinagar bound public transport from Kupwara but private vehicles choose Kupwara-Sopore highway because it happens to be the shortest route. Government should positively consider our demand and take steps to develop Kupwara-Sopore highway as 4 lane,” he added. “Developing Kupwara-Sopore road as 4 lane would certainly ease out the sufferings of people and most importantly human lives could be saved. It will also boost horticulture industry across the district with regard to easy transportation of fruits,” Kupwara Traders Federation President Mohammad Ishaq told Greater Kashmir. Meanwhile, all six MLAs of Kupwara district have thanked the central government for extending 4 lane to Kupwara but at the same time they demanded that Kupwara-Sopore road should also be developed as 4 lane for the larger interest of people. They have sought CM Omar Abdullah’s intervention in this regard.