Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Mar 28: The historic Mughal Road remains closed for traffic due to ongoing snow clearance operations.
Officials from the Mechanical department informed that the snow clearance work, which began recently, is nearing completion.
The Mughal Road, linking Kashmir via Shopian with the Pir Panjal region in Jammu, is annually closed during winter due to heavy snowfall. This closure disrupts the routine life of residents and businesses in the area.
Residents of Shopian and the Poonch and Rajouri areas of Pir Panjal have been calling for the reopening of the road, saying they face inconvenience by longer alternative routes. The closure adversely affects local businesses and hampers travel for residents, particularly those with familial connections across the region.
The students traveling from Kashmir to Baba Ghulam Shah University in Rajouri are also impacted by the road closure.
Despite being granted national highway status in 2016, the proposed all-weather tunnel to mitigate seasonal closures remains unrealised.
Residents on both sides of the road have urged authorities to expedite the snow clearance process and reopen the road for traffic at the earliest.
An official said the snow clearance operations are in their final stages. He said the decision regarding the road’s reopening will be taken shortly.
