Gurez residents demand opening of historic Gilgit-Askardu trade route

‘Road will bring peace, prosperity and dev in State’

The people here in frontier region of Gurez valley have urged State as well as New Delhi to open Gurez-Gilgit–Askardu road that they said once was a part of Silk Route.
This will also improve the economy of State, residents said.
Elders in the Gurez valley said that route was once the base of the trade and economy between Kashmir and Central Asia and its opening will restore the lost glory of Gurez, Gilgit and Kashmir besides will uplift the socio-economic condition of the area.
Now, the road is closed at the end of Chorwan village where Army has setup a garrison besides have installed anti-personnel mines to avoid any movement, locals said.
Once a transit point for Hajj pilgrims, Chorwan, a village on LoC is now wearing a deserted look in absence of any development on ground.
80-year-old Haji Kabir Khan terming the pre-partition days as joyful and prosperous said, “Those were the days of propensity and peace but now we are getting nothing other than false slogans.”
Batting for the opening of this historic road, Khan said that if the road is opened it will usher not only the Gurez but both parts of Kashmir and India into an era of peace prosperity and development.
He said that the route was once a favourite track of Hajj pilgrims who came from India via Jammu to reach Arabia through Central Asia.
”Establishment of the trade route between Kashmir and Central Asia via Bandipora-Gurez-Gilgit and Askardu is one of the long felt demands of the people of this area which will not only help to develop bilateral trade, commerce and tourism but will also boost the cultural exchange programmes among various regions,” said Abdul Jabbar Lone of Chorwan village.
Reminding his childhood days, Jabbar Lone said that those were the days of peace and prosperity.
“Pakistani salt stone was among the few favourite items we used to get through this route. Besidethe carpets of Kashgar and Askardu were also ferried through this road,”he said.
Locals have urged New Delhi as well as the State government to open the road in a similar way they opened the Muzzaferabad- Baramulla and other routes.
“The opening of main routes like Baramulla- Muzzafaerabad road is a welcome step. It will add to the economy of the locals as well as the State when Gurez-Gilgit road is opened for trade,” said Tariq, another resident.
Before 1947, Bandipora-Gurez-Gilgit road was one of the busiest trade route State of Jammu and Kashmir had with Central Asia during summers. The road was used frequently by British Army to supply ration to its garrison in Gilgit and was also called “Gilgit Transport Road”.
The road was not only important for trade to Central Asia but was also essential for the defence of the valley as the garrison was stationed in Gilgit itself. The road fell into disuse after the Indo-Pak conflict of 1947. It was totally closed to traffic. This is the most direct and the shortest route to the Northern Areas of Pakistan from Kashmir and is also the nearest link to Central Asia through the Karakoram Highway.
Locals, as well as traders in the region, have decided to intensify their struggle for the opening of this route.
Locals said, “We will intensify the struggle for the opening of the road and if the need arises we will approach Prime Minster of India with our demand.”
Pertinently State government Wednesday on the floor of Assembly said it has sought to open seven new trade routes with Pakistan.
Informing the Legislative Assembly in response to the demand of Kargil MLA Asgar Karbalai, Industries Minister Chander Prakash Ganga said State has recommended to the Government of India (GoI) that seven new trade routes should be opened with Pakistan.
The Gurez residents hoped this historic route is on the list.