Shopian, Jun 24 (KNO): The sanction for the construction of a tunnel on the historic Mughal Road has brought a wave of joy and optimism among the people on both sides of the Pir Panjal range - in south Kashmir’s Shopian district and the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region.
The proposed tunnel, sanctioned by the Government of India, is aimed at making the Mughal Road an all-weather route, ending the decades-long seasonal closure that has been a major hurdle in connectivity and development.
Currently, the road remains closed for nearly 4-5 months during winters due to heavy snowfall at Pir Ki Gali and adjoining areas.
Locals, traders and stakeholders, speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), welcomed the move and stressed the need for its speedy execution.
Mohammad Ashraf, a resident of Shopian, said, “We have been demanding a tunnel for years. The road is a lifeline for us, but snowfall disconnects us for months. The tunnel will not just connect us year-round but will also open up new opportunities for our youth.”
Sameer Ahmad, a hotelier from Shopian, added, “Tourism has immense potential on both sides of the Mughal Road. With the tunnel, places like Pir Ki Gali, Dubjan, and Noori Chamb will see more footfall, and this will boost our local economy.”
Stakeholders from the tourism and business sectors believe that the tunnel will not only ensure connectivity but also unlock the economic potential of several unexplored tourist destinations situated along the historic road.
Shahid Mir, a tour operator from Rajouri, said, “The beauty of this road is unparalleled, but its seasonal closure hampers all plans. If the tunnel is completed soon, it will link the two regions throughout the year and help develop tourism infrastructure and the hospitality industry.”
Local traders expressed hope that uninterrupted transport will benefit horticulture and other perishable produce markets.
Abdul Qayoom, a fruit trader from Shopian, said they face losses when the Mughal Road remains closed, as the alternate route is long and congested. "Once the tunnel is constructed, transport will be faster and cheaper. This will directly benefit farmers and traders,” he said.
The Mughal Road, which traces its roots back to the Mughal era, was historically used by emperors including Akbar and Jahangir to travel between Delhi and Kashmir. The road spans about 84 kilometres, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir to Bufliaz in Poonch district via the Pir Panjal pass.
In modern times, it was revived as an alternate route to the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and serves as a vital link during emergencies and disruptions on the national highway.
Despite its strategic and historical importance, the road's closure in winter has remained a major bottleneck. The construction of the tunnel is expected to not only resolve that but also enhance the strategic and logistical significance of the route, especially from a defence and disaster-response perspective.
While the announcement has been widely welcomed, many emphasised the importance of time-bound completion to avoid delays like other infrastructure projects.
Waqar Fayaz, a social activist from Shopian, said sanctioning the tunnel is a huge step. "But we urge the government to ensure that work begins at the earliest and is completed in a fixed timeline. This project can change the destiny of the region," he said.
The people on both sides of the Pir Panjal now look forward to the project turning into reality — a tunnel of hope that promises better connectivity, a stronger economy and a new chapter of development for the regions long bound by isolation during winter—(KNO)