Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: Continuing his relentless efforts to strengthen infrastructure and improve connectivity in the remote and terrorism-affected areas of Ramnagar Constituency, Dr. Sunil Bhardwaj, MLA Ramnagar, today called on the Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, Atal Dulloo, IAS, and strongly urged him to accord immediate approval and expedite the construction of the long-pending Kirchi–Seojdhar Road in the Dudu–Basantgarh area.
During the meeting, Dr. Bhardwaj highlighted that the Kirchi–Seojdhar Road, measuring 36.25 kilometres, was sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in 2017 but being halted due to the non-availability of mandatory forest clearance and project was subsequently foreclosed in 2022.
Dr. Bhardwaj informed the Chief Secretary that the issue was vigorously raised by him during the DISHA Meeting held on 6 April 2026, where Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh, Chairman of the DISHA Committee, directed the PMGSY, Forest and Wildlife Departments to undertake a fresh joint survey to identify an environmentally sustainable alignment. Pursuant to these directions, a joint survey was conducted from 3 to 6 June 2026, resulting in a revised alignment that has reduced the requirement for tree felling from nearly 1,200 trees to around 299 trees, substantially minimising forest land diversion while preserving the viability of the project.
The MLA emphasized that the area continues to hold immense strategic, religious and socio-economic importance. It serves as the principal route for the annual Shri Kailash Kund Yatra, supports a large seasonal migratory population of Gujjar and Bakarwal Scheduled Tribes, and possesses significant potential for eco-tourism, adventure tourism and livelihood generation. Dr. Bhardwaj further stated that, in view of the recent increase in terrorist activities in the Dudu–Basantgarh belt, the road has acquired critical strategic importance. Its construction would substantially improve the mobility of security forces, facilitate rapid deployment during emergencies, strengthen area domination, improve surveillance, and enhance operational preparedness in this sensitive region.
The MLA requested the Chief Secretary to direct the concerned departments to complete all pending formalities relating to forest clearance and administrative approvals on priority so that the project can be taken up for execution without any further delay. The Chief Secretary gave a patient hearing to the issues raised and assured Dr. Bhardwaj that the matter would be examined sympathetically and necessary directions have been given to the department for its early approval.