Srinagar-Jammu highway disruptions turn spotlight on Mughal Road tunnel project
Shopian, Oct 6: As frequent disruptions continue to cripple traffic on the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, attention has once again turned to the long-pending Mughal Road tunnel project, seen as the key to ensuring all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Jammu.
Last month, long convoys of apple-laden trucks snaked their way along the Mughal Road — the historic 84-km route linking Shopian in south Kashmir with Poonch in Jammu — as the main highway remained affected by landslides and blockades. The sight of trucks crawling through steep, narrow bends underscored the growing demand to transform the fair-weather road into a dependable alternative corridor.
Currently, the Mughal Road remains closed for nearly six months every year, from December to April, due to heavy snowfall at Peer Ki Gali — a mountain pass located at an elevation of more than 11,000 feet. Traders, transporters, and fruit growers have long argued that upgrading the route could prevent the recurring economic disruptions caused by highway closures.
In June this year, the Central government approved the construction of a tunnel at Peer Ki Gali, a project expected to cost around ₹3,830 crore. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) initiated the planning, with Rodic Consultants Pvt Ltd and Spain’s Getinsa-Euroestudios tasked with preparing the detailed project report for road widening, while Samit Pvt Ltd handled the DPR for the tunnel itself. The consultancy estimates suggest the total project cost could go up to Rs 5,000 crore.
The project, earlier managed by the J&K Roads and Buildings Department, has now been handed over to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which officials say has begun preliminary groundwork.
“The tunnel will be a game-changer,” said social activist Mitha Gatoo from Shopian. “It will ensure year-round access and provide a credible alternative to the Srinagar–Jammu highway.”
The recent closure of the main highway left hundreds of fruit trucks stranded for days, inflicting heavy losses on apple and pear growers. “Farmers suffered huge losses due to the blockade. Had the Mughal Road been upgraded, it would have saved our produce. Once the tunnel is built, it will not only give us a reliable route but also boost the local economy,” Gatoo said.
Currently, only six-tyre trucks are permitted on the Mughal Road due to sharp curves and narrow stretches, a limitation traders say must be addressed through widening and modernisation.
With the apple harvest season at its peak, Shopian is witnessing long traffic jams along the Mughal Road — a stark reminder of its importance and the urgency of upgrading it. “We hope the government starts construction of the tunnel soon so that Kashmir can finally overcome the recurring crisis of highway closures,” Gatoo added.
