GILGIT: Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan on Tuesday inaugurated the Rs10 billion Tangir-Darel Expressway in the flood-prone Diamer district—an 82-kilometre federally funded infrastructure project expected to be completed by November 2027.
Launched under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), the project comes at a time when key roads across Gilgit-Baltistan remain paralyzed by landslides and glacial floods. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Tangir Valley, the chief minister hailed the expressway as a “historic breakthrough” for the people of Tangir and Darel—two remote valleys long cut off from economic and social progress due to chronic road inaccessibility.
According to project documents, the expressway comprises two segments—Tangir and Darel Expressways—with a combined cost of Rs6.03 billion. Of the total funding, Rs5.09 billion has been earmarked for construction. Though the official project timeline begins in August 2025, construction is already underway, with 23.65% of the work completed.
The launch comes against the backdrop of worsening regional road conditions. In recent weeks, cloudbursts and torrential rains have rendered the Babusar Pass and sections of the Karakoram Highway impassable, severely hampering travel, trade, and emergency response efforts.
Officials say the expressway will serve as a critical alternate route during climate-induced disruptions. In addition to emergency access, the project is expected to spur local economies, improve healthcare and education outreach, and enhance market connectivity for agricultural goods.
During the event, the chief minister also announced a series of complementary development initiatives, including the Khambari and Buner Expressways. He revealed that Rs5 billion had been approved for water supply schemes, along with Rs350 million for an RCC bridge, Rs180 million for agricultural development, and Rs450 million for dispensaries and basic health units.
Education infrastructure is also part of the broader plan, with approval granted for 50 primary schools, a degree college, and a higher secondary school in the area. Under the Annual Development Programme, Tangir alone is set to receive Rs7 billion this year.
The chief minister noted that administrative reforms are underway, including the creation of four new districts to improve service delivery in remote regions. Calling the road a “dream fulfilled” for the residents of Darel and Tangir, he emphasized the need to bridge the urban-rural divide. “This project is not just about concrete and asphalt—it’s about restoring trust and delivering on long-standing promises,” he said.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by local elders, government officials, and community members, who welcomed the initiative as a transformative milestone for the region.
