Parliament Question: Construction of Gurez (Razdan Pass) Tunnel

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1386 ANSWERED ON –11/02/2026 CONSTRUCTION OF GUREZ (RAZDAN PASS) TUNNEL 1386. SHRI CHOWDRY MOHAMMAD RAMZAN: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has considered or will expedite approval and funding for the Gurez (Razdan Pass) tunnel project to provide all-weather connectivity to Gurez Valley, which remains cut off during winters due to heavy snow on Razdan Pass, thereby improving access to essential services, boosting economic opportunities and enhancing strategic logistics; and (b) whether the proposal for this tunnel, long awaited by residents to connect Gurez with the rest of the Kashmir Valley throughout the year, has been pending for approval for several years? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) to (b) The Government in Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs) in the country. Proposal for Gurez Tunnel (Razdan Pass) in district Bandipora is not part of any NHs. The Government receives proposals from various State Governments / Union Territories (UTs), including from the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, from time to time, for declaration / upgradation of State Roads, including State Highways (SHs), as new NHs. Decisions are taken to notify State Roads as NHs from time to time based on the broad principles of declaration of NHs, requirement of connectivity, traffic density and synergy with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP). *****