16/05/2006

Background
The route between Bagh and Chacothi has been identified as a possible crossing route between Bagh and the Jeelum Valley. The route also provides access to several villages where relief and reconstruction efforts are underway.

Route Description
The original route runs from Bagh up through Padder to Kwaja and Gonkra. However, the bridge to the south of Kwaja was destroyed during the earthquake and has not been replaced. As such, the revised route travels up the west side of the valley through Bani Manhassan and across the top of the valley to Kwaja.

The route is reasonable going in the lower areas but is very difficult in the higher areas dividing the two valleys. It took the assessment team 4 hours to travel from Padder to Chacothi not including stops. Key locations are detailed in annex A. A route breakdown by condition is as follows:

Bagh to causeway at Padder: sealed road good going by any vehicle. The causeway itself is damaged and now involves crossing a ford about 0.7m deep. Therefore, the causeway marks the last suitable point for 2WD vehicles.

Padder to Kwaja: This section includes a mixture of sealed road in good condition as well as short sections, which, due to earthquake damage, are rough and require 4WD. This section ends at a bailey bridge (see bridge report at annex B) just beyond Kwaja.

Kwaja to Lohra Gali (AKA Nasar Gali):  This section of the road is very difficult going and requires a 4WD fitted with good ground clearance and that is fitted with a winch.  This section of road was traversed in 'low 4' 1st and 2nd gear in a Landrover. The larger Landcruiser (saloon as opposed to troop carriers) is too wide for some sections of the route. The photo below shows examples of the road conditions.

->please refer to Figure 1.

High areas around Lohra Gali: The rough road gives way to smoother tracks through alpine meadows (see figure 2 below). There are several tracks in this area and close navigation is required to ensure vehicles keep to the west as they crest the range (alt approx 2650m ASL). The tracks running easterly will take you to the Line of Control in areas that are generally closed to internationals.

->please refer to Figure 3.

Lohra Gali to Mohra Sadiq: The road down the north side of the range remains difficult going but is not as severe as the south facing slopes. This section requires a 4WD with good clearance, a winch is not essential. The road improves once you get to the HLZ at Mohra Sadiq.

Mohra Sadiq to Chacothi: After the heliport the road improves with a sealed road with some rough patches between Moahr Sadiq and Dara. From Dara the road is a sealed road in good condition until it meets the main Jeelum Valley road at Chacothi.

Other considerations:

Weather and climate: This route is subject to weather conditions and any heavy rain will make the mostly rocky routes on the southern slopes slippery, while the routes on the northern side will become muddy. In winter the upper areas are snowbound and impassable to 4WD.

Military Controls: In some sections, this route runs close to the LOC, especially near Chacothi. The military base at Chacothi is the furthest east you can travel without prior approval from the Brigade Headquarters in Muzaffarabad. This barracks is a few km short of the LOC on the Jeelum Valley road.

Conclusion
This route while passable is difficult and slow going. It is not passable in poor weather and is closed over the winter due to snow. While the route provides access to several villages in the area, its value as a direct route between the two valleys is limited. The route Bagh - Sudhan Gali - Chikar - Jeelum Valley is quicker and safer (approximately 2 hours).

Recommendations

I recommend:

1. That this route be used only as access for those villages where agencies or organizations have recovery or reconstruction projects operating.

2. The route between Kwaja and Mohra Sadiq is used by high-clearance 4WD vehicles fitted with winch only.

 
Annex A to
Route Assessment
Bagh to Chakothi
Dated 16 May 06