The Jammu & Kashmir Public Works (R&B) Department has revealed plans to create an alternative route from Srinagar to Pahalgam through Khrew, Wahab Sahib, Syedabad (Pastuna), Karmula Tral, and Lehndajan. This new road will cut the distance between Srinagar and Pahalgam by around 30 kilometers, improving accessibility and boosting tourism in the less-visited areas of Tral.

The project was brought up during a Starred Assembly Question by MLA Pampore, retired Justice Hasnain Masoodi. The Minister Incharge emphasized that the road would not only improve tourism prospects but also generate employment in related sectors.

The road will be divided into two sections:

Section 1: Wahab Sahib Khrew to Pastuna, covering 8 kilometers, with an estimated cost of Rs 270 million (about $3.2 million). This section will require the acquisition of 108 kanals of forest land and the removal of 845 trees, pending forest clearance.

Section 2: Tral-Bathnoor Bugmad to Pahalgam, estimated to cost Rs 441 million (around $5.3 million). This segment will pass through forested areas, necessitating the removal of several Kail and Deodar trees.

Although the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for both sections have been finalized, the project’s advancement depends on environmental approvals and securing the required funding. Once completed, the road is expected to fuel economic growth by drawing tourists to the scenic yet underexplored Tral region.