Mughal Road shut for traffic

Rajouri, Nov 11: Vehicular traffic on the Mughal Road connecting Poonch district of Pir Panjal region with Shopian district of Kashmir has been shut for movement of all kinds of vehicles after the season’s maiden snowfall that started in the area of Pir Ki Gali on Monday evening.

The area was witnessing snowfall when the last reports were received and around 4 inches of snow had accumulated near Pir Ki Gali.

This 90-km road stretch of Mughal Road connecting Bufliyaz of Poonch district with Hirpora of Shopian district has gained importance in the last couple of years as it not only facilitates direct connectivity between Kashmir and Jammu provinces but also acts as an alternate to the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

Officials said that on Monday, the season’s maiden snowfall started in the evening hours amid bad weather conditions and the snowfall was continuing when the last reports were received.

Due to snowfall, authorities have shut the road for all kinds of vehicles with slippery conditions prevailing in the area near Pir Ki Gali.

The movement of vehicles remains suspended on the Mughal Road during the winter season as heavy snowfall in the upper reaches of the Pir Panjal region causes complete blockage of the road, which is considered a season-specific road.