Mughal Road closed for 3rd day

Rajouri, Apr 30:   Mughal Road connecting Poonch district of Pir Panjal with Shopian in Kashmir remained closed for the movement of vehicles from the third day with road restoration work getting delayed after heavy rainfall on Monday.

The authorities said that the work would take at least one more day, that too if the weather remains fair. The Mughal Road was closed for the movement of vehicles four days ago after heavy rainfall followed by snowfall, shooting stones, and landslides.

Officials said that the road restoration work was taken up by the Engineering Department and it had almost reached near completion but heavy rainfall on Monday evening created havoc, triggering more landslides and shooting stones.

“On Tuesday, we managed to do some work. Now, we have planned to roll in maximum manpower and machinery on Tuesday and carry out road restoration work in full swing,” officials said.

Executive Engineer Mughal Road Project, Division Poonch, Shokat Ali told Greater Kashmir that all available manpower and machinery on this side had been put to work while the manpower and machinery from the Shopian side would be rolled on Wednesday so that the road restoration work can be done on a double pace.

He said that the status of road restoration would only be clear by Wednesday evening and that too if the manpower and machinery manage to work throughout the day.

Sub Divisional Magistrate Surankote, Farooq Khan told Greater Kashmir that at least one full day was needed to clear snow and slides and make the road motorable.

“We are expecting plenty of sunshine on Wednesday and will carry out the work at full pace so that the road can be restored by Thursday,” he said.