Gilgit / Kashgil News
The federal government of Pakistan has proposed to take 7 important roads of Gilgit-Baltistan, 464 km long, under the tourism initiative of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, under federal custody.
The Gilgit-Baltistan cabinet has approved this, while the final approval will be taken from the federal cabinet.
Under the proposed project, the National Highway Authority (NHA) will take over the responsibility of construction, expansion, rehabilitation and long-term maintenance of these roads, while the federal government will provide funds for the project.
The roads to be handed over to the federal government include 54 km of Astore-Chilam Chowki Road, 31 km of Deosai-Skardu Road, 100 km of Skardu-Khawlu Road, 17 km of Skardu-Thurgo-Shargar Road, 36 km of Naltar-Satrangi Lake Road, 121 km of Thalichi-Astore-Ritto-Shuntar Road and 105 km of Gorikot-Shargar Thang-Skardu Road.
According to officials, a proposal to impose a toll tax on tourists is also under consideration, however, it is proposed to completely exempt local residents of Gilgit-Baltistan from the proposed toll tax. It is proposed to spend the revenue generated from the toll tax on the improvement of the road system in the region.
The aim of transferring roads to federal government is to improve travel connectivity in the region, ensure sustainable maintenance of roads and promote tourism. Practical progress on the project is expected after the approval of the federal cabinet.
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