Survey of Braldo K2 Road Faces Delays, Locals Demand Reconstruction on Safer Route

Askole: The survey of the Braldo K2 Road has come to a standstill, raising serious concerns among local residents, tourists, and officials over the safety and usability of the existing route.

Speaking to the media, Maulana Ejaz Hussain Siraj, General Secretary of the K2 Welfare Trust, said that the initial survey of the Braldo K2 Road was carried out incorrectly. The relevant department had assured the public that a re-survey would be conducted to correct the earlier mistakes; however, no progress has been made so far.

He explained that the current road condition is highly unsuitable for locals, tourists, and even the Pakistan Army, which frequently uses the route for logistical movement. “During the summer season, this road turns into a death trap,” he warned, highlighting frequent accidents and landslides that endanger lives.

Siraj said the people of Braldo have repeatedly urged the government to construct a new road on a safer and more sustainable alignment that reflects the “aspirations and needs of the local population.”

He added that a permanent and properly engineered road would not only ensure the safety of travelers but also boost tourism in the region, improve access to K2 Base Camp, and enhance economic opportunities for the people of Shigar and surrounding valleys.

Local residents have appealed to the Gilgit-Baltistan government and the National Highway Authority (NHA) to take immediate notice of the issue and restart the survey process without further delay. They emphasized that the project is of national importance, serving both the local community and Pakistan’s tourism sector.

“We are not opposing development,” Maulana Ejaz Siraj said. “We only demand that the road be built at a safe, practical, and permanent location in line with the will of the people.”

The Braldo K2 Road serves as a crucial link connecting Skardu to K2, the world’s second-highest peak, and other key destinations in the Karakoram mountain range. Its poor condition has long been a source of frustration for residents and trekkers alike.