The Mughal road now operates only in the summer months. The tunnel will make it a year-long route and reduce the traffic pressure on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway

The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited has engaged a Spanish Consultancy firm and an Indian private consultant to prepare a report for the construction of a tunnel on Mughal Road that connects Kashmir with the Jammu division. The tunnel is aimed at turning Mughal Road into an all-weather route and reduce the traffic pressure on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

The Mughal road, which connects Kashmir Valley with Poonch, through Shopian district was opened for light motor vehicles in 2009. It, however, operates only in the summer months. In winter, just like the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the 84-km long Mughal road receives massive snowfall in parts including at Peer ki Gali, where, officials said, the proposed tunnel is likely to be constructed.

Making it an all-weather route will reduce traffic pressure on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which serves as the crucial connector between the two divisions of the newly created union territory (UT).

According to senior officials of The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and the Jammu and Kashmir civil administration, the Indian Company Rodic Consultants Private Limited will be collaborating with the Madrid-based Getinsa Euro Studios on the Mughal road project, which is said to be in its “very early stages” as of now.

(Courtesy: ThePrint)