President, Bar Association Beerwah
The proposed National Highway NH-701A is not merely a road infrastructure project; it is a lifeline for the people of Beerwah and the surrounding areas. The alignment of this National Highway through the existing main road of Beerwah is essential for ensuring balanced regional development, economic growth, improved public convenience, and the long-term welfare of the people.
Beerwah has historically been one of the most important commercial, educational, judicial, administrative, and cultural centres of central Kashmir. Every day, thousands of people visit the town for trade, education, healthcare, legal services, banking, and other essential public services. Retaining NH-701A along the existing road would strengthen these institutions and ensure that Beerwah continues to serve as a vibrant regional hub.
The existing road already possesses the necessary infrastructure and public utility. Upgrading it into a National Highway would be economically prudent, environmentally sustainable, and socially beneficial. Such an approach would substantially reduce the need for fresh land acquisition, minimise the displacement of families, preserve valuable agricultural land, and optimise the use of existing public infrastructure.
From an economic perspective, routing NH-701A through Beerwah town would provide a major boost to local trade and commerce. Shopkeepers, transport operators, hoteliers, restaurant owners, artisans, entrepreneurs, and countless small businesses depend upon the steady movement of people through the town. Diverting the highway away from the existing road would adversely affect these livelihoods, reduce employment opportunities, discourage future investment, and weaken the local economy.
A National Highway should become an engine of development—not a cause of economic decline. The prosperity of Beerwah is intrinsically linked to the continuous movement of people, goods, and commercial activity through its established marketplace.
The existing alignment also serves the larger public interest by providing direct access to hospitals, educational institutions, government offices, courts, markets, banks, and emergency services. A diversion would inconvenience thousands of residents and visitors while diminishing the strategic importance of Beerwah as a regional service centre.
The proposed alignment through the existing road will further promote religious, cultural, and heritage tourism. The historic Jamia Masjid Beerwah, one of the oldest and most significant mosques in Kashmir, and the revered Abhinavagupta (Bhairav) Cave at Bairam, associated with the great Kashmiri philosopher and spiritual master Abhinavagupta, are situated along the existing route. Improved highway connectivity would facilitate easier access for Muslims, Kashmiri Pandits, Hindus, scholars, researchers, pilgrims, and tourists from across India and beyond.
Such connectivity would not only preserve and promote Kashmir’s rich shared heritage but would also strengthen communal harmony, encourage interfaith understanding, and generate significant economic opportunities through religious and heritage tourism. Hotels, guest houses, restaurants, transport services, handicraft businesses, and local markets would all benefit from increased tourist footfall.
The development of Beerwah is not merely a local concern; it is a matter of regional importance. A strong and economically vibrant Beerwah contributes directly to the overall growth of Budgam district and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Infrastructure planning should strengthen established towns with existing public institutions rather than bypass them without any compelling public interest.
The people of Beerwah have consistently expressed their desire that NH-701A should pass through the existing road. Their aspirations deserve due consideration. Public infrastructure projects must reflect the welfare, convenience, and legitimate expectations of the communities they are intended to serve.
The Bar Association Beerwah firmly believes that every decision concerning the alignment of NH-701A should be transparent, lawful, consultative, and guided by the principles of sustainable development and public welfare. The existing road alignment best serves the objectives of economic progress, social development, environmental responsibility, religious tourism, public convenience, and long-term regional planning.
The Bar Association Beerwah respectfully urges the competent authorities to retain NH-701A through the existing road of Beerwah. Such a decision would promote inclusive development, protect local livelihoods, strengthen the regional economy, enhance religious and heritage tourism, preserve the cultural identity of Beerwah, and safeguard the welfare of present and future generations.
“A National Highway should connect people with opportunities—not disconnect a town from its future. Retaining NH-701A through the existing road of Beerwah is an investment in development, prosperity, heritage, and the larger public interest.”
Advocate Bilal Ahmad Rather President, Bar Association Beerwah
