The much-anticipated Kashmir-Taobat to Kamri Astor Road is in its final stages, with officials confirming a late 2025 operational date for this game-changing 19km mountain route. Here’s what travelers need to know:

Update: 13 August 2025

Actually the project is wider than we knew before. This route will shorten the journey to the China border by 350 km. Upon crossing into China at Yarkand, it will link Gilgit-Baltistan’s Shigar, Skardu, and Astor districts to Muzaffarabad.

The National Highway Authority (NHA) is constructing the Shounter-Rattu Tunnel (12.7 km) and developing road corridors:

• Kel to Shounter (26.9 km)
• Shounter to Gorikot (41.5 km)

The route will pass near Kel, Lower Domel, Dhakki Nakka, Khora, Chitta Katha, Upper Domel, Chattian, and Shounter in Neelum Valley (AJ&K), as well as Morcha Guzair, Mirmalik, Rattu, Nasirabad, Chugam, Rehmanpur, and Gorikot in Astore (GB). The project site is approximately 65 km from Astore, establishing a new connection between Neelum Valley and Astore Valley.

Previous version: The much-anticipated Kashmir-Taobat to Kamri Astor Road is in its final stages, with officials confirming a late 2025 operational date for this game-changing 19km mountain route. Here’s what travelers need to know:

Revised Timeline & Current Status

 New Deadline: December 2025 (delayed from original 2024 target due to monsoon damage and complex terrain)
 Progress: 14km completed as of June 2025; remaining 5km includes critical bridges and avalanche tunnels
 Official Statement: NHA cites “geotechnical challenges near Kamri Pass” for delay

Why This Road Will Revolutionize Travel

• Direct Neelum-Astore Connection: Cuts journey time from 12+ hours to just 4 hours
• Adventure Corridor: Future shortcut for Ratti Gali → Deosai Plains → Nanga Parbat circuits
• Economic Lifeline: Links Kashmir’s apple farms to GB’s tourist hubs

2025 Travel Advisory

 Partial Access Possible: Local jeeps may ply completed sections by October 2025 (check with K2Paths for updates)
 Winter Closure: Full route will likely close November 2025 – March 2026 due to snow

Local Insight

“The Kamri Pass section is the toughest – blasting through granite took 8 months longer than planned,” says site engineer Rehmat Ali. #KashmirAstoreRoad2025 #NewPakistanInfrastructure #NeelumValleyAccess #K2PathsVerified, #Kashmir to Astore road opening date 2025, taobat Kamri route status