Srinagar Ring Road: Route, Phases and What It Changes for Your Trip

The Srinagar Ring Road is a new 4-lane bypass that loops around the city's outskirts so trucks and through traffic don't have to cross Srinagar. It isn't open yet. On 2 September we posted a drone reel of one of its big interchanges, two loops of fresh tarmac curling through green paddy fields, and the caption put the whole road at 60.84 km with Phase 1 due in November or December 2026. Since then the dates have moved a little, so here is what our reel said, what the latest official updates say, and what it will change for a Kashmir trip.

Watch it on our Instagram: drone view of the Srinagar Ring Road interchange over paddy fields (2 Sep 2026)

Srinagar Ring Road at a glance (November 2026)

Lengths differ between sources because Phase 2 was redesigned and some reports count connector roads. Treat the reel's figures as what was announced in early September and the right-hand column as the newer word.

What our reel shows

The clip is almost all drone footage of one interchange: a flyover, two loop ramps and a long straight carriageway running off into the fields, first in bright sun and then on a hazy morning. The caption makes three points. The road bypasses the city to cut congestion. Traffic for Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Gurez, Kargil and Leh won't need to enter Srinagar. And land, utility shifting and transmission towers were the main reasons for delay.

Srinagar Ring Road phase 1: where it runs and when it opens

Phase 1 starts at Galandar near Pampore, where the Jammu-Srinagar highway (NH-44) comes into the valley. It crosses the Jhelum at Lasjan, swings west through Chadoora and Soibugh in Budgam, and meets the Srinagar-Baramulla road at the Narbal interchange.

On 26 September 2026 the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir inspected the stretch and said NHAI has fixed the end of December as its completion target, with efforts to make it motorable by then. Officials listed 143 culverts, 23 minor bridges, three major bridges, 18 light-vehicle underpasses, two flyover-cum-interchanges and six overpasses as done, with transmission-tower shifting the last big hurdle and bridge load testing still to come.

Srinagar Ring Road opening date

No opening date has been announced. The target for Phase 1 is end-December 2026. It was first due in November 2025, so we'd treat any date as a target until the road actually opens to traffic. We'll update this post when it does.

Srinagar Ring Road phase 2 and beyond

Phase 2 carries the loop north from the Narbal side to Sumbal, the Pandach node and the Wayul roundabout near Ganderbal, where it meets the road to Sonamarg and Ladakh. A Greater Kashmir report from 28 June put it at about 52% physical progress and said it would likely miss December 2026, mainly over land acquisition. A new bridge over the Jhelum at Sumbal was due to start in autumn 2026 once the river level dropped. Phase 2A adds an elevated section through Ganderbal town, and Phase 3, the stretch that would close the loop towards the city side and the airport, is still being planned.

What the Ring Road changes for your Kashmir trip

For trips this winter: nothing yet. Our drivers still go through or around the city the usual way. Once Phase 1 opens, this is where we expect it to help, based on where the road runs:

• Pahalgam to Gulmarg on the same day. Coming up NH-44 from Pahalgam, a car could turn onto the Ring Road at Galandar and come off at Narbal, which is on the way to Tangmarg and Gulmarg, without crossing Srinagar. Officials named Gulmarg, Baramulla, Bandipora and Sonamarg as the places it should make easier to reach.
• Jammu to Gulmarg or north Kashmir by road. Guests driving in from Jammu could skip the city completely.
• Sonamarg and Gurez. The real gain here needs Phase 2 to Wayul and the Bandipora side, so expect it later, not this winter.
• The airport. No direct link yet. A connection to Srinagar Airport is being discussed with the Airport Authority, Air Force and BSF, so for now airport transfers to Dal Lake work the same as before.

We won't quote time savings until we've driven it ourselves. Snow days matter more than roads in winter anyway, so keep a spare day in your plan whatever route we take.

How we'd plan a trip around it

• If you're travelling before January 2027, plan as if the Ring Road isn't there. If it opens early, it's a bonus.
• Staying on a houseboat or near Dal Lake? You'll still drive through the city to start most day trips. The bypass mostly helps routes that skip Srinagar.
• For a Pahalgam and Gulmarg trip, tell us your dates and we'll pick the route on the day, with or without the Ring Road. See our Kashmir cab service and how to reach Kashmir.
• Budgeting a week here? Our 6-day trip cost breakdown covers cabs, hotels and the small fees, and our list of places to visit in 2026 helps you pick the stops.

FAQ

Is the Srinagar Ring Road open?

Not as of 12 November 2026. Phase 1 (Galandar to Narbal) is targeted to be motorable by the end of December 2026.

Where does the Srinagar Ring Road start and end?

Phase 1 runs from Galandar near Pampore on the Jammu-Srinagar highway to Narbal on the Baramulla road. Phase 2 continues to Wayul near Ganderbal on the Srinagar-Leh highway.

Will the Ring Road connect to Srinagar Airport?

Not yet. Officials said in September 2026 that an airport link is being explored, and Phase 3 towards the city side is still at the planning stage.

Plan your route with a local desk

We're a Srinagar travel agency registered with J&K Tourism (JKEA00005366), and our drivers are on these roads every day. For a cab or a full trip, call or WhatsApp us on 7006085655 (call) or 9596044418 for a quote for your dates and car.

Related reads

• Srinagar airport arrival guide
• Srinagar to Gulmarg distance
• Kashmir tourist circuit distance

Travel Etios Kashmir, Pantha Chowk, Srinagar. J&K Tourism registered (JKEA00005366). Rated 5.0★ from 155 Google reviews. Call or WhatsApp +91 95960 44418 or +91 70060 85655, or email enquiry@traveletioskashmir.com.