Bandipora, July 23 -- Suhail Rather

Days after public criticism mounted over Bandipora's inaction on road widening compared to neighbouring districts in Sopore, the government has technically sanctioned the long-awaited project to upgrade the Sopore-Bandipora road on the Bandipora constituency side.

According to an official document issued by the Office of the Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B) North Kashmir, the "Strengthening, Widening and Upgradation of Sopore-Bandipora Road (KM 4th to 19th)" has received technical approval under Phase-I. First, about six kilometres will be widened immediately.

The project, sanctioned at a total cost of 9.44 Crore is to be executed under NABARD's RIDF-XXX funding, with construction cost pegged at Rs 8.6 Cror...