Jammu and Kashmir citizens can look forward to some relief from the frequent closures of Jammu-Srinagar national highway as the authorities are likely to throw open the historic Mughal Road for traffic, four months after it was shut down.
The 83.9-km road, which connects Shopian in south Kashmir with Bafliyaz in Poonch district of Jammu, serves as an alternate link between the Valley and the rest of the country.
"It will be reopened within two days. We have connected the road on both sides. It is now up to the traffic and Mughal Road department because they have to conduct a safety survey. We expect to reopen the road for traffic within two days," Dr Owais Ahmad, District Development Commissioner, Shopian, told DNA.
Crisscrossing through high altitude mountains, the Mughal road was closed on December 25 due to heavy snowfall. "There are some locations where the snow is 25 to 30 feet. Considering the safety and exigencies, two-way traffic will be difficult. I cannot say for sure but it seems it will be reopened for one-way traffic initially. Snow has been cleared," said Dr Owais.
Started in 1969, several trials were undertaken by different governments to build a highway to replace the cart road but the work was abandoned due to various reasons. In 2005, a proposal for the 83.9-km road was submitted under the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Programme.
The Emperor Akbar-led grand Mughal army had used this cart road (now Mughal road) to defeat Yousuf Shah Chek in 1586 AD. Historians say a caravan of horses, chariots and foot soldiers used this road to assimilate the valley with the rest of the Mughal Kingdom.
HISTORY LESSON
The Emperor Akbar-led grand Mughal army had used this cart road (now Mughal road) to defeat Yousuf Shah Chek in 1586 AD. Historians say a caravan of horses, chariots and foot soldiers used this road to assimilate the valley with the rest of the Mughal Kingdom
