Reconstruction of the old and tedious Jaglot-Skardu Road (JSR) was a dire need for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region. Frontier Works Organization (FWO) undertook the 
task and completed it in a befitting manner. JSR is viewed as means of socioeconomic development because it links regions, places, people and economic activities. The expansion and improvement of JSR would contribute towards increasing the accessibility and mobility, while reducing the distance to destinations, travel costs and time. JSR also facilitates access to new technology as well as marketing of surplus products that contribute towards an increase in the agricultural productivity of Skardu and its surroundings.
This study analyzes the effects of reconstruction of JSR with a special focus on the social, cultural and economic development of GB in general and Baltistan in particular.
The transport sector plays an important role in the economic growth of a country. It has a great impact on the development and 
welfare of the people. Economic, social and cultural activities are intensively affected by the infrastructure. An efficient transport infrastructure provides various socioeconomic opportunities and benefits that results in positive multiplier effects such as better accessibility to markets, employment, education, health and additional investments. The quality and efficiency of JSR impacts the quality of the social system, and the continuity of economic activity which assists multidirectional growth by reducing the transport costs and improving the environment through removing unsuitable roads. In order to assess the effects of JSR on the GB region, a survey was carried out to inquire public views about JSR. JSR has contributed towards an increase in the agricultural productivity of Skardu and its surroundings. In this certain scenario, forestation along with the construction of JSR was carried out. This was done to ensure the sustainability of the project and incorporate elements of green construction. Keeping the above in view, there is a need to critically analyze the contributing factors.
Highways are considered as the basic means of modern communication and transportation systems, as they play a vital role in the economic development and wellbeing of a nation. Transport corridors financially affect the existence of the adjacent communities. JSR, being the strategic vein and lifeline of Baltistan, has come to life by providing the region with better tourism and economic potential, becoming a gateway to mountaineering expeditions in the Karakoram range, including the mighty K2, Gasherbrum-I, Gasherbrum-II, and the Broad Peak. JSR is one of the biggest projects in GB and the local people have many expectations from it. The main objective of this project is to boost the economy through infrastructural and social development of GB. JSR is very important from business, tourism and strategic point of view. It connects the Baltistan region with the Gilgit region through Karakoram Highway (KKH) and is considered one of the biggest infrastructural projects witnessed in the history of GB. Work on JSR commenced on July 28, 2017 and during the construction, more than fifteen personnel have sacrificed their lives. The inauguration of JSR was carried out on December 16, 2021.
To analyze the impact of JSR in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, research was carried out to analyze the pre and post-social impact of JSR; the cultural impact of JSR, especially in the Skardu region; and to assess the economic impact of JSR on the community in GB region.
Research Method. Perception of the local community was studied using a structured questionnaire, including both quantitative and qualitative questions in the areas connected with JSR. Multiple indicators were used to measure the perceived impact of JSR to improve the validity and reliability of the data while minimizing the errors and eradicating the unacceptable items for further analysis.
Study Area. The Baltistan region of GB is also known as Little Tibet. The north-eastern region of Baltistan houses almost one-fourth population of the GB region. The construction of this road was started in 1982 and took twelve years for the completion, costing the loss of precious lives, which made it even costlier. Even after the completion of the project, the road remained infamous due to the delay of the workforce and frequent disasters including landslides. The current extension of JSR has been made after 40 years of its first-ever construction through the highest standard highways. The strategic highway built across the verified extension has opened many ways to boost the economic potential of the region. GB has been recording a substantial flow of tourists in the region. The JSR project highlights the upgradation, improvement, extension and further development of the road. Due to the consistent encounters of continuous avalanches and heavy snowfall in the 
region, this road will permit a superior and smooth progression of incoming and outgoing traffic. In addition, the time it took to arrive at Skardu from Gilgit was around ten hours, which will be decreased to three hours.
Research showed that 35% owned hotels, 25% were associated with the agricultural field, 20% were general store owners, 9% were tour guides, 5% were book shopkeepers, 4% were transporters, and 2% were tour operators. The majority of respondents’ main activity through JSR was hoteling (Figure 1).
Out of 100 respondents, 48% responded that business activities were medium, 32% responded small business activities and 20% were in favor of large business activities (Figure 2).
All the respondents engaged in activities related to business were asked about the number of employees they have hired for their business. Out of 100 respondents, 72 claimed they have hired less than 5 employees, 16 respondents answered that they have hired 5 to 10 employees, whereas, 12 respondents said that they have employed more than 10 employees (Figure 3).
Respondents were asked about the various listed impacts of JSR, to agree or disagree with the arguments, whether they believed it has impacted their lives or not. About 99% responded that traffic flow has increased in the area after the construction of JSR. About 80% agreed that their life has been affected by the construction of JSR. Hence, almost 72% confirmed that their income has been affected positively by the construction of the road, as shown in figure 4.
Cultural Changes
Figure 5 shows respondents’ perception about the outcomes of JSR. Almost 81% of the respondents agreed that this project has a positive impact in terms of increasing income and economic activities in the area where cultural and behavioral changes follow development.
Out of all the respondents, 89% agreed that the project will also have an impact on the culture and behavior of the residents. The society takes on new cultural traits, behavior and social norms, adopt new social structure and as a result, the changes start to occur in the society. Improvement and upgradation of JSR has reduced travel time for locals and tourists, which will result in higher traffic flow in the area and will further provide new income opportunities to the locals.
Economic Changes
Figure 6 summarizes the economic impact of JSR on the local community. Sampling villagers were plotted along the X-axis while income in PKR is plotted along the Y-Axis. It is evident from the figure that the annual income of the local community has increased. From point 1 to 47 along the X-Axis, a sharp increase in income was noted. This sharp increase occurred because this area comes under section-1 of JSR, which was completed earlier, hence economic activities have been restored after the construction and upgradation work.
The graph from points 47 to 63 depicts section-2 and section-3. Currently, annual income in these areas has decreased. Some hotels and shops were demolished during the expansion and construction of JSR, which has resulted in the decline in the reconstruction and development of the hotel industry. It is evident from the figure that the average annual income has been increased, apparently improving the economic flow and well-being of the local community due to the improved JSR.
Following is the tourist attraction data of Skardu region for the year 2022:
The Way Forward
The recommendations after evaluating the above-mentioned data are as under:
Economic Friendly. Proper adoption should be made possible for tourism management to promote eco-friendly guided tourism.
Awareness of the Area’s Importance. The research findings should be communicated back to the society to know the importance of the area for the existing and future generations.
Tourist Facilitation Capacity of Area. As per the data provided by the tourism department, Skardu had the greatest tourist attraction in 2022, which is expected to increase in the near future. Therefore, an increase in number of hotels for tourists in the area should be carried out to accommodate tourists in the peak period. Rent charges of tourists should be monitored by the local administration.
Installation of Area Mapping Sign Boards. Sign boards indicating area mapping should be installed at various locations along the JSR. Tourist points and other tourist attractions should be marked on such maps.
Ensure Safe Constructions. The general public must design their buildings through a consultation with the structural experts. The government can also provide various design templates to assist the public.
Permanent Measures for Landslides. The government should plan to control landsliding areas. Areas such as Maloopa should be provided permanent measures like landslide shelters etc., to safeguard the commuters from hazards and also to allow a smooth traffic flow free from landslides.
Environment-friendly Measures in the Future Projects. It must be mandatory in the mega projects that the crush and asphalt plants should be positioned away from the road and residential areas.
Green Project. All road projects to be extensively covered with an environment-friendly mechanism, especially with respect to the plantation to make it a valuable contribution to the green project.
After examining the above-mentioned dimensions of the impact of JSR, it can be concluded that the project has cultural, socioeconomic and environmental effects on the area.
Jaglot-Skardu Road is the strategic vein and lifeline of Baltistan with about 165 km distance. The road has linked the people of two different languages, i.e., Gilgit and Baltistan people of the GB region. This will not only benefit the tourism industry in the region, but also boost the economic potential and cultural diversity of the region. Moreover, JSR will provide access to basic facilities of life, specifically in the rural and remote areas of GB such as education, health, tourism and the banking sector. These opportunities will directly and indirectly affect the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and will improve their living standards, while at the same time, there are possibilities for cultural and behavioral changes in the life of the local population.
Colonel Imran Hafeez got commissioned on April 23, 2000 in Corps of Engineers. The officer has served on various command, staff and project related appointments. The officer has served twice on United Nations (UN) assignments, including command of a multi-task force unit at Sudan, (Darfur). The officer is a graduate of Command and Staff College, Quetta and is presently serving as the project director, JSR.
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