Srinagar, Sep 08 (KNO): As another winter approaches and the Mughal Road braces for its annual closure due to snowfall, residents on both sides of the Pir Panjal range have once again questioned how long they will have to wait for a permanent solution—and, more importantly, how long the proposed Pir Ki Gali tunnel will remain confined to papers only.
The 84-kilometre Mughal Road, connecting Shopian with Rajouri and Poonch, has emerged as an important alternative link between South Kashmir and the Jammu region since it was opened to vehicular traffic in 2009. However, the road’s vulnerability to heavy snowfall around Pir Ki Gali means that its benefits remain largely seasonal.
Residents while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said the same cycle is repeated every year: the road remains open during summer, snowfall in winter leads to its closure, and people are forced to take longer alternative routes until the weather improves.
They said the recurring closure has made the demand for an all-weather tunnel increasingly urgent, but questioned whether the proposed project would actually move towards execution anytime soon.
“Every year we hear about the tunnel, DPR, surveys and clearances, but people want to know when the actual work will begin. How many more winters will we have to wait? The project should not remain on paper indefinitely,” said Waqar Fayaz, a social activist from Shopian.
The seasonal closure has implications beyond commuting. Residents said it disrupts trade, movement of agricultural and horticultural produce, access to markets and travel for students, patients and families between the two regions.
The Kashmir side of the Mughal Road, particularly areas such as Heerpora, also witnesses a decline in commercial activity once traffic movement towards Pir Ki Gali comes to a halt.
“During the summer season, the road brings customers, transporters and traders. Once it closes, the entire pattern of business changes. For people dependent on this route, the winter closure has become an annual economic setback,” said Javed Ahmad, a trader from Shopian.
For residents of Rajouri and Poonch, the closure cuts off a direct and comparatively shorter link with south Kashmir, forcing travellers to rely on longer routes through Jammu and the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
Maqsood Ahmad, a resident of Rajouri, said the impact is particularly felt by families travelling for medical treatment, education and business.
“We have been hearing about an all-weather solution for years. The tunnel would not only save travel time but also bring the two regions closer economically and socially. The question is when this will become a reality,” he said.
The proposed tunnel under Pir Ki Gali has consequently become a focal point of public expectations. Residents believe an underground link could overcome the snowfall-related limitations of the existing road and ensure year-round connectivity between south Kashmir and the Pir Panjal region.
The government has already initiated the process for preparation of a DPR for the proposed tunnel. During the Budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the government informed legislators that tenders would be invited after approval of the DPR and completion of the required statutory clearances.
The alignment proposed by DPR consultant SMEC (India) Pvt. Ltd. was also discussed with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on January 21, 2026, according to the government.
Officials have maintained that the DPR is under preparation, while the proposed project has been estimated to cost around Rs 3,830 crore.
Earlier, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) had entrusted preparation of the DPR for upgrading the Mughal Road to Rodic Consultants Pvt. Ltd., in association with Spain-based Getinsa-Euroestudios.
However, residents said the repeated movement of the proposal between surveys, DPR preparation, approvals and clearances should not become another prolonged wait.
“DPR preparation is important, but people now want to see the project move to the ground. If every stage takes years, another generation could continue facing the same seasonal problem,” said Basit Ahmad a resident of Shopian.
Residents also argued that the tunnel should not be viewed merely as a road project. They said an all-weather connection could strengthen trade between south Kashmir and Rajouri-Poonch, facilitate transportation of fruit and other agricultural produce, expand tourism opportunities and improve access to hospitals, educational institutions and markets.
The Mughal Road, they said, already demonstrates the economic potential of the corridor whenever it remains open.
“The road has already proved its importance. What is needed is an all-weather solution. People are not asking only for another announcement; they want a timeline and visible progress on the ground,” residents said—(KNO)