New lifeline: Mughal Road tunnel promises year-round connectivity, revival for Pir Panjal

Near the spring at Chattapani, known locally as “White Water”, a major infrastructure project is taking shape that promises to improve connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir.

- Mir Ehsan

The central government has approved a 9-kilometre-long tunnel along the historic Mughal Road, which will connect the Pir Panjal region with the Kashmir Valley throughout the year and serve as an alternate national highway.

The Mughal Road has historical significance, originally laid down during the Mughal era when emperors used it to travel to Kashmir after halting at Rajouri. Remnants of that period, including rest houses and other structures, can still be seen along the route. The road was revived and opened for public use in 2009 and now links the districts of Poonch and Rajouri with Shopian in Kashmir.

Last month, the Union government cleared the construction of the tunnel at an estimated cost of ₹3,800 crore.

"This is the spot from where the tunnel will be drilled, and it will exit at Dubjan in Shopian," said Javeed Ahmad Naik, who runs a small tea shop on the roadside.