Importance of Mughal road
As Kashmir division has remained cut from the rest of the country since Sunday, the debate to keep an alternative route available has once again gained momentum over the past two days.
Kashmir, Ladakh and Kargil regions are connected to the rest of the country through the arterial Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which has reported a major damage at multiple spots near Ramban due to heavy rainfall and flashfloods.
It is estimated that repair work will take at least three to four days or even more, even though road clearance operations are continuing round the clock as around 20 affected locations are to be cleared on the vital highway link to Kashmir.
Importantly, the supply line to Kashmir and other regions is solely dependent on the NH 44 while as travellers also avail this sole highway for travelling to and fro from Kashmir.
The closure of the highway has once again started alarm bells ringing in Kashmir region with the authorities too had to make several announcements that the fuel and other supplies to Kashmir won’t take a hit.
However, a major concern is that the NH 44 is the only road link that people rely on for travel and at this point of time everyday lakhs of tourists visit Kashmir and for them travel through the road remains a cheap and affordable option as airfares touch the sky during the tourist peak season here.
Since the Mughal road was always considered an option as an alternate to the Jammu-Srinagar highway it was never put on development radar by various governments here and as such it escaped the level of development that should have otherwise carried out on the road.
The Mughal Road is a significant route in Kashmir, connecting the districts of Poonch and Shopian. The road facilitated trade and commerce between the districts of Poonch and Shopian since ages, promoting economic growth and development.
However, very little interest was shown at various levels during the past three decades to turn this route as a viable option and alternative to the Jmu-Sgr national highway.
The road if developed properly provides access to popular tourist destinations, such as the Pir Panjal range and the Shopian district, but also it can prove handy in terms of need, like the one that has arisen out of a natural disaster causing severe damage to the NH 44 at Ramban.
The Mughal road will not only help to deliver supplies and allow movement of commuters in times of need but it has a strategic importance for the military as well.
The road serves as a vital logistics route for the armed forces, enabling the transportation of troops and supplies to remote areas.
Besides, the road can serve to promote community development by facilitating access to essential services, such as healthcare and education. The road will also enable cultural exchange between the districts of Poonch and Shopian, promoting social cohesion and understanding.
The recent calamity that has hit Ramban area of Jammu division and hampered movement on the NH 44 should prove to be an eye opener for policy makers so that they also realise the importance of having a fully motorable alternate highway operational at most of the times.
