SRINAGAR: Snow clearance on the iconic Mughal Road from Heerpora to Peer Ki Gali in south Kashmir’s Shopian district was completed in less than three hours on Sunday, setting a new benchmark for efficiency. This helped the alternative highway connecting Kashmir with Pir Panchal valley to reopen within days.
The 84-kilometre highway, which serves as a vital link between Kashmir and the rest of India, was blocked on Friday due to heavy snowfall. Snowfall ranging from 1.5 to 3 feet had accumulated along the stretch, disrupting connectivity and affecting local livelihoods.
The snow clearance operation, personally monitored by Deputy Commissioner Shopian Shahid Salim Dar, was executed by the Mechanical Engineering Department. The 35-kilometre section of the road between Heerpora and Peer Ki Gali, notorious for being challenging to clear, was reopened in record time.
The reopening of the Mughal Road comes as a significant relief to the region’s traders and transport operators, particularly during December when tourism peaks in Kashmir. Tourists flock to the region to experience the winter season and snowfall, and the closure of this critical route had threatened to disrupt the local economy.
The Mughal Road, a historic route with immense socio-economic significance, connects Shopian in south Kashmir to Poonch in Jammu. Residents and traders have called for consistent efforts to ensure the route remains accessible, urging authorities to clear the highway from the Poonch side as well for smoother travel.
