Budgam, May 7: For years, the Srinagar Semi Ring Road was projected as a symbol of a changing Kashmir — a modern highway meant to ease traffic congestion, improve connectivity and ensure faster movement across the Valley. But for residents living along the Budgam–Beerwah district road at Kawnar and Nasrullahpora, the ambitious project has instead become a source of anxiety, uncertainty and growing resentment.
As the elevated stretch of the Semi Ring Road passes through their lands, many locals say they feel disconnected from the very project that was meant to improve their lives.
“There is no cut here, no crossing, no connectivity,” said a resident. “This is an important district road connecting Budgam and Beerwah, yet the highway passes directly without any proper access.”
The Semi Ring Road, which originates from Pampore and moves towards Narbal, cuts through several villages in central Kashmir. However, at Nasrullahpora, residents say authorities constructed the flyover and road network without providing a direct link between the Budgam–Beerwah road and the Ring Road itself.
For daily commuters, transporters, students and emergency vehicles, the absence of proper cuts, service lanes, divider openings or crossings is emerging as a major concern even before the road becomes fully operational.
“Once traffic increases here, this stretch will become dangerous,” said another commuter. “Vehicles coming from different directions suddenly merge without any proper system. It is an accident waiting to happen.”
Locals say the issue is not merely about convenience, but about long-term accessibility for thousands of people living in Budgam and Beerwah areas.
“There is absolutely no connection between this district road and the Semi Ring Road,” another resident said. “Such an important route should have been properly integrated into the project from the beginning.”
Many residents also expressed disappointment over what they described as a lack of serious political attention to the issue during the construction phase.
Several locals described the Nasrullahpora stretch as one of the most problematic sections of the project, saying that despite years of construction work, many practical concerns of local communities remain unaddressed.
Residents are now urging the administration to intervene before the project is fully completed. They appealed to the Deputy Commissioner of Budgam, local legislators and officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to provide proper connectivity.
However, speaking to Asian News Hub, MLA Beerwah Dr Mohammad Shafi said the matter has already been taken up with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with MLA Budgam Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi and MLA Chadoora Ali Mohammad Dar.
Dr Shafi said the NHAI had assured the legislators that one cut would be kept at Narbal and another near Budgam to improve connectivity along the stretch.
“Although there is no provision for frequent cuts on a national highway, we are still trying to ensure that one cut is provided near Budgam, as one already exists at Narbal,” he said.
He added that the issue would again be raised with higher authorities during an upcoming meeting with the concerned officials.
Meanwhile, locals said hundreds of mature apple trees, many planted decades ago, were cut to make way for the 62-kilometre road project.
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Experts have also warned that the steady conversion of fertile agricultural land into highways and infrastructure projects could have long-term implications for Kashmir’s rural economy and food security.
