| Mughal Road | |
|---|---|
 Map ofMughal Road in red | |
 Aliabad Sarai, a halting point on old Mughal road | |
| Route information | |
| Length | 80 km (50 mi) |
| Major junctions | |
| East end | Shopian,Shopian district |
| West end | Bufliaz,Poonch district |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| States | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Highway system | |
Mughal Road is the road betweenBufliaz, a town in thePoonch district, to theShopian district, in the union territory ofJammu and Kashmir,India. The 84-kilometre road[1] traces a historic route used in theMughal period over thePir Panjal Pass, at an altitude of 3,500 m (11,500 ft), higher than theBanihal pass at 2,832 m (9,291 ft).[2]
The road connectsPoonch andRajouri toSrinagar in the Kashmir valley, and reduces the distance between Shopian and Poonch from 588 km to 126 km.[3] It also provides an alternative route into the Kashmir valley off theJammu–Srinagar highway.[4] The road passes through Buffliaz, Behramgalla,Chandimarh, Dogray (Dogran), Godawan, Poshana, Chattapani,Peer Ki Gali, Aliabad, Zaznar, Dubjian,Hirpora, and Shopian.
A route linkingHirapur (modern Hirpora) in the Kashmir Valley withPoonch via thePir Panjal Pass (Peer Ki Gali) has been used from ancient times. During the period of thesultans, it was extended toBhimber. Historian Mohibbul Hasan says it played an important role during this period.[5]: 23–24
After conquering the Kashmir Valley, the emperorAkbar strengthened the route into an 'Imperial Road' stretching fromLahore to Kashmir.[5]: 24 In modern times, the route has been referred to as the 'Mughal Road'.[6]
The new road was proposed in the 1950s to improve the economy of the Kashmir valley. The then chief ministerSheikh Abdullah took up this project in 1979 and named it the 'Mughal Road', but it came to a halt asterrorism took over. Bafliaz Bridge on the road was blown up by the terrorists.[7]
Actual construction began in October 2005 with a target of completion in March 2007 and an estimated cost of 255 crore rupees.[8] A conservation trust petitioned theSupreme Court to stop construction, citing the disturbance to animals in theHirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, especially the endangeredMarkhor goat;[9] and claiming the road would get earlysnowfall in winter and hence would not serve as an alternate route to the existing Jammu-Srinagar highway. However, the court gave conditional permission for the construction of the road.[8]
The construction due to be completed in December 2008,[10] was delayed for a number of reasons, including theAmar Nath land row. The road was opened on 12 July 2009 for inspection by state legislators, officials, engineers, and others. It was supposed to be thrown open for light vehicles in October 2010 but the law-and-order situation in Kashmir in 2010 imposed delays.[1][11] A double-lane road was completed and opened for light vehicles in August 2012.[12]
A Mughal Road Car Rally has been held annually since 2010.[13] It covers 600 km, including the picturesque stretch acrossPir Panjal.
{{citation}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)