Border tensions once again render Mughal road unfavorable for travellers
‘No traffic on the road for the last two days’
Shopian: With heightened tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), the historic Mughal Road is witnessing a significant decline in vehicular movement, as locals and travellers are choosing to avoid the area due to its proximity to the volatile border in Poonch and Rajouri districts.
Locals from Shopian said that there is a visible drop in traffic flow along the Mughal Road, which connects the Kashmir Valley to the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region. While the road has historically served as a vital lifeline, especially during times when the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway faces disruptions, its location near sensitive areas along the LoC is now a major concern.
“We fear sudden shelling or infiltration-related incidents,” said Bilal Ahmad, a transporter who previously operated regularly on the route. “It’s too risky at the moment, and many passengers are reluctant to travel.”
The apprehensions come amid increased security alerts in the region, following recent incidents of cross-border firing.
Though no official advisory has been issued by the administration so far, locals say the prevailing atmosphere of fear is enough to dissuade them from using the road.
Shopkeepers, hoteliers, and dhaba owners along the route in Shopian are also facing the brunt of the slowdown. “Tourism and local business along Mughal Road are badly affected,” said Tariq Mehmood, a shop owner in Hirpora.
“We were hoping for a good season, but these tensions have dashed all hopes.”
He, however, hoped that these issues will get redressed soon so that there will be better tourism season ahead.
The Mughal Road, once part of the historic route used by emperors and traders, has often symbolized a vital cultural and economic link between Kashmir and Pir Panjal.
However, as long as tensions persist near the border, it seems this crucial corridor will remain underutilized.
Notably, this route was recently used by thousands of vehicles after the national highway was closed due to a landslide in Ramban.
