Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Apr 4: People from Poonch-Rajouri and Shopian are demanding re-opening of the historic Mughal road for vehicular traffic
The road connecting Kashmir via Shopian with Pir Panchal region in Jammu remains shut in winters because of snow.
They said that the closure of the road has badly hit businesses and other activities of residents of Shopian, Hirpora, Dubjan, Pir-Ki-Gali and Buffliaz, Thanamadi and other villages. Many people from Shopian are married in Poonch or Rajouri and vice-versa.
But the closure of the road is affecting people traveling to their relatives on both sides.
Besides, it has also affected students from Kashmir studying at Baba Gulam Shah University in Rajouri.
Despite getting national highway status in 2016, the proposed tunnel to make the road all-weather is nowhere in sight.
An official said that the decision about reopening the road will be taken shortly
He said that snow clearance work was completed, however, fresh snowfall has accumulated on road at some spots.
Allowing traffic in these circumstances is risky and can prove fatal, he said adding that it is likely road will be thrown open for traffic by April 15.
