Now Relish In Mountains, Mughal Road Has First Food Joint

Sheikh Hilal

KL NEWS NETWORK

SHOPIAN

Travelling the Mughal Road has always been fascinating. But the only boring thing was that there was no spot where one could have a quick breakfast or lunch.

Not anymore.

Irfan Zargar has now formally started his food joint and it is filling that void for the traveller.

Zargar, 27 is a resident from Batpora (Shopian) and has been keen to fill this gap and make it a success. Son of an engineer, Zargar has been good in his studies and has travelled a lot. This has helped him understand the requirement of such a basic piece of facility on the highway that is travelled by thousands of people daily, mostly during summers.

“It was a dream since childhood to start my own fast food joint which can not only become the meeting place of my friends but also helps others to quench their thirst and manage their hunger,” Zargar said. “That is how the Cosa Nostra was born.”

Zargar has added a billiards room to his food joint which is located at Batpora Shopian.

“At present it is around Rs 12 Lakh investment,” Zargar said, “initially I sought money from family but later I did it on myself.”

When he visited the officials in the district with the idea, the Deputy Commissioner was impressed by his keenness to do it. He immediately granted him permission to start the unit on the banks of Rambiara rivulet on the Mughal Road at Helipad near Circuit House.

Once it was erected, it was a huge success. On the very first day of Eid, he got such a huge rush that he had to hire 12 employees. And when the news of it success reached the ears of DC, he extended the permission up to July 09, 2016.

“I am serving commuters coming from Pir Panchal Valley and thousands of picnic-goers to Peer Ki Gali, Dobijan and Ahrabal,” Zargar said. “Now people stop near the stall because they know they get the best for their money.”

Right now, the food joint is open for only two days. But the response has led Zargar to decide that the joint should remain open for all the seven days a week. “I am trying to get permission to one each at Dobijan and Peer Ki Gali,” Zargar said.

People are by and large happy with the initiative. Mohammad Yaseen a lecturer from Kulgam was enjoying momos with his family when this reporter visited the Joint. “It is a good enterprise,” he said. “We must strengthen these start-ups.”

Of late, Mughal Road has evolved as a parallel road connecting Kashmir division with Jammu through Pir Panchal. Every day, hundreds of vehicles ply on this road and now people are demanding that the road be made round the year network.