Remote Rajouri villages get road connectivity for first time since Independence

Several remote villages in the Kalakote sub-division of Rajouri district have received road connectivity for the first time since Independence, linking them to the tehsil headquarters, district headquarters and the Rajouri–Kalakote highway.

The new road stretch from Patta to Ghodar village, along with previously unconnected hamlets including Arras, has been constructed under the NABARD scheme. Until now, 5–6 villages in the area had no motorable roads, leaving residents cut off from essential services. Locals expressed gratitude for what they described as a transformative development. Jagdev Singh, a resident, said the road was constructed “after 70 years,” enabling children to attend school regularly. “It was an underdeveloped area. Children used to remain illiterate because schools were far away. Now they can go to school,” he said.

Another resident, Manohar Lal, said the lack of roads and electricity earlier created immense hardship. “We used horses to take our elders to hospitals. Even government officials could not reach this village. Now we have roads and electricity… PM Modi has done a lot of work,” he said.

Hardev Singh, Assistant Engineer, PWD, said the 3 km road from Patachui Babli to Pir Malla Ghodar via Middle School Patta is being built at a cost of Rs 2.48 crore. “We are providing connectivity to far-flung areas under the NABARD scheme. We have 10–12 such projects and hope to connect all remaining areas,” he said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Kalakote, Muhammad Tanveer, said multiple major road projects are underway under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The Kalakote– Suhot road is 50% complete and expected to finish by March. Two roads each have also been sanctioned in Mughla and Kalakote.

Tanveer said rural connectivity is being strengthened through PWD, PMGSY, NABARD and panchayat-level funding. “We are trying to ensure no area remains unconnected. All departments are working to sanction projects on priority,” he said.

After decades of isolation, villages such as Patta and Ghodar are now linked to the broader region, improving access to education, healthcare and livelihoods for residents of the remote Pir Panjal belt.