G-B govt seeks Jaglot-Skardu Road upgradation amidst protest

GILGIT: As a march by a group of students from Baltistan continued for the third consecutive day on Monday, the Gilgit-Baltistan chief secretary wrote a letter to the Federal Ministry of Communications and the National Highway Authority chairman, requesting immediate measures to make the Jaglot-Skardu Road (JSR) more safer for travel.

The protest, organised by the Baltistan Students Federation (BSF) Karakoram International University (KIU) chapter, began on Saturday with a 167-kilometre march from Nad-e-Ali Chowk in Gilgit to Skardu. The participants, pressing for the construction of protective tunnels along the perilous Shahra-e-Baltistan, reached Rondu by Monday.

The march has garnered widespread support from people from all walks of life, with participants receiving warm welcomes in every area they pass through. In a joint meeting, the Skardu Traders Association and the Baltistan Awami Action Committee decided to give a grand reception to the marching students upon their arrival in Skardu.

Also read: GB-EPA raises alarm over ‘uncontrolled blasting’ along Gilgit-Shandur Road

In his letter, Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmed Mirza highlighted the critical safety concerns along the JSR, particularly in the accident-prone areas of Malopa and Burundu. The road, he noted, has seen an alarming number of accidents due to its dangerous curves, loose rocks and frequent landslides, which further exacerbates during the rainy season.

From August 2023 to December 15, 2024, 46 road traffic accidents were reported on the route, resulting in several fatalities and injuries.

The chief secretary called for immediate action to address these hazards, urging federal authorities to realign and widen the road at key points to improve driver visibility. He also recommended the construction of protective shades and the removal of loose, hanging rocks to shield commuters from falling debris and landslides.

These measures, he stated, are essential for ensuring the safety of travelers on a road that serves as a lifeline for the entire Baltistan region.

The letter further underscored the critical importance of the road as a lifeline for the Baltistan region, connecting it economically and socially with the rest of the country.

The JSR, which stretches 167 kilometres, has long been plagued by frequent landslides and unsafe road conditions, leading to deadly accidents and road closures. Vehicles often plunge into the Indus River below, resulting in devastating loss of life and property. Each year, dozens of people perish in accidents on the road, particularly during the monsoon season, when hydro-meteorological hazards worsen the already treacherous conditions.

Recent incidents underscore the gravity of the issue. On December 14, a landslide struck a vehicle traveling from Skardu to Shengus, killing five people. In July, a car carrying tourists veered into the Indus River in Roundu Valley, claiming the lives of three individuals, including a child, and injuring three others.