Credits dad, Mufti, Azad for Mughal road opening
Vehicular traffic from July 2010

Abid Bashir
Pir Ki Gali (Mughal Road), Nov 26: In 1586, the then Mughal emperor Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar rode on a horse back through this arduous terrain to conquer Kashmir. On Thursday, it was Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who drove his Tata Safari in the opposite direction through the snow-clad mountains on the 84 km long Mughal Road to integrate Kashmir region with the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region. Omar also announced that the road would be thrown open for public by July 2010.

The road connects Kashmir with Bufliaz in Poonch district of Jammu region. The stretch is not fully complete as yet. However, the leading construction agency of India, Hindustan Construction Company in collaboration with R&B department of the State has completed 80 per cent of the earthwork. With the result, the road has become motorable. Interesting, shepherds and nomads along with their herd have already started traveling through this road.
Replying to a query of a scribe that famous Mughal king, Akbar had traveled from Jammu to Kashmir and he (Omar) was travelling in its opposite direction, the chief minister said: “He (Akbar) came this way but went back from the same way. In next year, I intend to come back in the opposite direction as Darbar is in Jammu. So, I am going in a correct direction.”
The chief minister said it was a difficult thing for a person who is governing the State to drive on the road.
On how important the road link was, Omar said the importance of the road link can be gauged from the fact that it connects Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch districts.
“Not only this, the road connects Kashmir with rest of the country,” he said.  “Students willing to study in Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University can go to Shadra Sharief and seek admission in the varsity. Similarly, students who wish to study in the University of Kashmir can follow suit.”
He said import of goods and fruit can also take place in a shorter period of time between Kashmir and Jammu. “From Shopian, it will take four hours to reach Bufliaz in Poonch,” Omar said.
Earlier, addressing a gathering at the picturesque Dubjan, Omar termed the day as historic.
“It was the dream of my grandfather, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah to see this road link open. He was keen to open road links connecting Kashmir with rest of India as well as with the rest of the world,” the chief minister said. “Today, my grandfather’s dream has been fulfilled as I am going to drive through this route to Poonch.”
Omar, who was accompanied by Minister for R&B, G M Saroori and his own political advisor, Devender Singh Rana, said the credit for the opening of the Mughal road goes to all three chief minister’s who ruled the State and put in their best to see this route opened.
“My father (Farooq Abdullah) conducted the survey of this stretch. During Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s tenure, New Delhi sanctioned funds and in Azad sahib’s time, work on this road was started,” Omar said. “I am lucky that I am getting a chance to drive my vehicle on the same road.”
The chief minister announced that the road would be thrown open for public by June or July next year. “The way work is being carried out, I hope the road will be ready for general public by July next year. Further construction, if needed, can be carried out side by side after opening this road link.”
Mughal road is being constructed at the cost of Rs 650 crore. The amount has been sanctioned by New Delhi under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan. “It was impossible without New Delhi’s financial assistance,” Omar said.
The chief minister also hinted at making Dobjan a tourist destination. “This area is more beautiful than Gulmarg. I feel this can be brought on the tourist map,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, R&B Minister G M Saroori said the credit for Mughal Road opening goes to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. “Earthwork is almost done. Work needs to be done on the 10 km where we have identified blind curves,” Saroori said.
Others present on the occasion include Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Naseema Lankar, Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda, Inspector General of Police Kashmir Range, Farooq Ahmad and other top officers of police and the administration.