Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, May 7: Historic Mughal Road, constructed with the purpose of providing alternative land link to Kashmir valley via Rajouri-Poonch is being made all weather as the work on 8.8 km long tunnel through Pir Panjal near Peer- Ki- Gali Pass, costing over Rs 2000 crore would start shortly.
Not only this, the process of double-laning of this road from Rajouri to Thannamandi and Bafliaz has been commenced by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The GREF (BRO) with the support of Revenue authorities Rajouri have already started land acquisition process up to Thannamandi in the first phase while Thannamadi to Bafliaz will be covered in the second phase.
Minister for R&B, Abdul Rehman Veeri told the Excelsior that the real purpose of the Mughal Road will be defeated unless it is made all weather and road from Rajouri to Balliaz is upgraded and entire road is declared National Highway. For this purpose, the matter was recently taken up with the Union Ministry of Highways and Surface Transport by the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and he himself.
“We have exerted pressure on them to declare Mughal Road as National Highway realizing its importance and the Centre has principally agreed on the proposal. For making this highway all weather, it is important to construct tunnel between Chhatapani and Jajnar and this 8.8 km long tunnel will also shorten the distance by nearly 15 km,” Veeri maintained.
Giving details, the R&B Minister further said that for the purpose of the construction of this tunnel and preparing Preliminary Project Report (PPR), a consultancy (SMEC Pvt Ltd) has been engaged by the Department. An amount of Rs 2.67 crore is being spent for preparing PPR involving some experts from Australia. They are on the job and it is expected to get this report by August this year. Thereafter, the DPR would be formulated and submitted to Union Government. They have agreed for the funding to the project.
Referring to the worst condition of road from Rajouri – Thannamandi to Bafliaz, Mr Veeri said this road is in worst condition. He said the entire stretch is lying with the BRO. Recently Chief Minister and he himself during meeting with the senior BRO officers asked them to repair this road and make traffic worthy. They assured to upgrade/ improve the road within one month.
Veeri said that Chief Engineer Project BEACON (BRO) also disclosed that Centre has cleared the double-laning of this part of Mughal Road between Rajouri –Thannamandi and Bafliaz and work on this project has been commenced.
He disclosed that until this section of the Mughal Road is upgraded up to National Highway specification and constructing tunnel at Pir Panjal, the purpose of this Highway would not be fulfilled. For the tourism point of view and ensuring direct and closer connectivity with the Rajouri-Poonch with Kashmir valley, this highway is very vital.
Veeri further said that existing Jammu-Srinagar National Highway via Ramban is old and is plagued with innumerous problems like land sliding, shooting stones and sinking of road at many places. During rainy days and winters it remains closed for several days, disconnecting entire Kashmir valley from rest of the country. Therefore, having alternative highway is very vital for ensuring the round the clock connectivity to Kashmir. Moreover, for defence point of view also, this highway is vital.
He said that late Mufti Mohd Sayeed had a vision to connect Rajouri-Poonch with Kashmir valley through Mughal Road and now it will be our collective responsibility to get this road declared as National Highway and make it operational throughout the year.
Chief Engineer Mughal Road Project, R K Gupta while providing more details said that for making Mughal Road all weather highway, only proposed 8.8 kms tunnel is not sufficient. He said making road from Rajouri to Balfliaz double-lane and changing alignment from Thannamandi to Bafliaz ensuring smooth movement of loaded heavy vehicles besides executing slope stabilization works are the areas on which there is need to give attention.
Responding to a question, Mr Gupta said that to protect highway from slides and accumulation of silt/ loose soil etc, a Rs 145 crore project has been formulated and submitted to the Centre for funding. The funds are yet awaited. As and when the funds are released, the slides protection work would be started. He said that 8.8 km long tunnel has been proposed between Chattapani on Poonch side and Jajnar on Shopian side of the Pir Ki Gali (Pir Pass).
Due to heavy snow in Pir Ki Gali area the road remains closed for 4-5 months. This tunnel would make this highway all weather and moreover, it will shorten nearly 15 kms distance. PPR of the Tunnel is likely to be received in August. The Mughal Road Project staff would prepare DPR and submit to the Centre for the funding. He said that Govt is taking keen interest on the project and process has also been expedited recently. Earlier, the work on the PPR was delayed due to poor flow of funds, Mr Gupta maintained.
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