Sanctioned Mughal Road tunnel brings joy among Shopian, Pir Panchal residents

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 Shopian district and the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region.

- JAHANGEER GANAIE

‘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, 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.”