Transport and Means of
Communications
Geographical
factors govern transport and means of communication in Kashmir. Although there
has been great progress in transport and communication system in the valley, man
is still the beast of burden in some mountainous areas. In the valley roads are
the main means of transportation for wheeled traffic. The Government of India,
in order to make the traffic possible between the valley of Kashmir and the rest
of the country even in the coldest weather of the year, has constructed two
tubes of Jawahar Tunnel near Banihal at a height of 2200 metres above sea level
Rivers in the valley of Kashmir are also navigable. On the higher altitudes,
where roads are not so common, mules and ponies are also used as means of
transportation. There is also Air transport from Jammu to Srinagar and Ladakh.
Road
Transport in Kashmir
1. Jhelum Valley Road
is 132.5 Kms. long and connects Srinagar, Pattan, Baramula, Mohra and Uri. It is
also a part of the National Highway and is very important from military point of
view.
2. Srinagar-Shopian
Road is 53 Kms. long and connects Srinagar, Pampore, Pulwama, and Shopian.
3. Srinagar-Kulgam Road
connects Srinagar, Khannabal and Kulgam. It is 71 Kms. long.
4. Srinagar-Gulmarg
Road is 29 Kms. long and connects Srinagar, Tangmarg and Gulmarg.
5. Srinagar-Pahalgam
Road is 96.5 Kms. long and connects Srinagar, Awantipura, Khannabal, Mattan,
Aishmuqam and Pahalgam. From Pahalgam a bridle path leads to Swami Amarnath cave
which is 45 Kms. from Pahalgam. On this route, Chandanwari, Sheshnag and
Panjtarni stations are worth mentioning.
6. Srinagar-Bandipur
Road leads to Shalateng- situated on the Jhelum Valley Road. From Shaltang
this road leads to Bandipur. It is 56Kms. long. From Bandipur to Sopore it is 33
Kms. From Bandipur another road leads to Gurez and it serves as a military
defence road.
7. Srinagar-Wayal Road
is 85 Kms. in lengh. On this route, Anantnag, Achhabal, Kukarnag are worth
mentioning.
8. Sopore-Tetwal Road
is 95 km, long and connects Sopore, Handwara Trehgam, Chowkibal, Santochangli
and Tetwal. From Srinagar to Chowkibal the road is open for both public and
military traffic, but from Chowkibal to Tetwal only military vehicles run and
the road is closed during winter when there is heavy snowfall.
9.
Srinagar-Gandarbal-Baltal Road winds its way across the Anchar Lake passing
through Ganderbal where the Sind Nullah enters the Anchar lake. This road
connects with many other roads, the important one is Khirbhawani or Tulamula
road leading to the well known shrine. The main road passes through the entire
valley of the Sind Nullah upto Baltal, the foot of the Zojila pass Beyond Baltal
the road leads to Matayan and to Dras. It is 117 Kms.long up to Baltal and from
Baltal to Dras it is 45 Kms.
10.
Srinagar-Charar-e-Sharif Road has been constructed over the karewa to the
southeast. It leads to the well known shrine Chrar-e-Sharif.
11. Srinagar-Ladakh
Road is 80 Kms from Srinagar to Sonamarg. It connects Srinagar, Gandarbal
and Sonamarg, from where. after passing over the Zojila Pass it connects Machai,
Drass, Kargal and Leh, the capital of Ladakh Province. From Sonamarg to Leh the
distance is 350 Kms.
12. Kargal-Askardu Road
is 151 Kms. in length. On the way, Kharalpul, Awiding, Bagicha Talse, Madhopore,
Gole and Theggo are worth mentioning.
13. Pulwama-Yus-gogji
Pathar Road connects Pulwama, Parkota, New Kalipora, Ramopakherapora,
Kanidanwan and Yus-gogjipathar.
Other important
road- links are:
| 14.
Khannabal-Kulalgam |
17 Kms. |
| 15. Anantnag-Verinag |
26 Kms. |
| 16. Srinagar-Tral -Shikargah |
45 Kms. |
| 17. Shopian-Kulgam |
22 Kms. |
| 18.
Shopian-Wuyun-Letapore |
31 Kms. |
| 19. Shopian-Bijhebara |
31 Kms. |
| 20.
Srinagar-Naseem-Pandach |
18 Kms. |
| 21.
Srinagar-Halwar-Drafama |
27 Kms. |
| 22. Srinagar-Aerodrome |
11 Kms. |
| 23.
Srinagar-Chrar-e-sharif-Yusmarg |
47 Kms. |
| 24.
Srinagar-Badgam-Raithan |
32 Kms. |
| 25.
Baramula-Langet-Handwara |
29 Kms. |
| 26. Srinagar-Sopore |
73 Kms. |
| 27.
Srinagar-Sopore-Gangbug |
137 Kms. |
| 28. Handwara-Nichhama |
21 Kms. |
| 29.
Handwara-Magam-Lonawara |
27 Kms. |
| 30.
Ukherhal-Senawatipul |
11 Kms. |
| 31.
Srinagar-Panthchak-Lethpora |
31 Kms. |
|
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