Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Jan 20: Even as the Valley continues to remain cut off from the rest of the country due to frequent blocking of Srinagar- Jammu National Highway, there seems to be no headway in making the Mughal road an all-weather route.
The main roadblock in achieving the goal is Government’s failure to construct an 8 kilometer long tunnel. Once complete the historic Mughal road, which connects Kashmir with Poonch through South Kashmir’s Shopian district, would be an alternative to Srinagar- Jammu National Highway which remains shut during erratic weather conditions. Besides, it would have reduced the vehicular pressure on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway which is an only connecting link to Kashmir.
In 2013, the Jammu and Kashmir Roads Development Department proposed construction of an eight-kilometer tunnel from Chattapni-Zaznar and declaration of the road as National Highway. Since then, an official said, the Government has been pursuing the matter with the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
Abdul Majeed Khan, Chief Engineer Mughal road said a Consultant has been engaged for undertaking a pre-feasibility study and research of Preliminary Project Report (PPR) for construction of tunnel on Mughal road. “That has gone to the Government. Besides, we were expecting this road to be included in National Highway. That has also not happened. The road is available on both sides and we run it during summer time. It is very vital for the connectivity and serve as an alternative highway,” he said.
Being the only alternative road connectivity available, an official privy to the details said, the road project has always been under discussion but no Government or administration has showed the seriousness towards the issue. The importance of the project can be judged by the fact that it was also a part of previous PDP-BJP Government’s common minimum program, he said.
After the coalition fell apart, the Governor administration invited proposal for widening of the road and construction of Tunnel but work failed to start on it. Since then the concerned department has repeatedly raised the issue with the Ministry of Road and Transport with latter showing no seriousness towards the issue.
The only positive thing happened last year when National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) sought bids from eligible consultants for preparation of DPR and to work out pre-construction activities for the tunnel. However, that did not last long as concessionaire suddenly put the tendering process on hold arguing that the MoRTH had not entrusted the project.
Amid all this, the people living in Pir Panjal and South Kashmir have lost hopes of an alternative road network. “ The project would have increased our connectivity but I am unable to fathom what is stopping Government to move ahead in this,” Basit Ahmad, a local said.
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