Er Rabinder Shekher
Not many people would know about the Mughal Road. Srinagar- Jammu National Highway, also known as NH44, is often considered to be the only road connecting the cities of Jammu and Srinagar. It is true that it is indeed a better maintained, wider, more travelled upon, and shorter way to travel between the two places but it is definitely not the only one. There actually exists another route that is far more scenic, less crowded, takes you through some internal parts of Kashmir, and has existed for far longer than the regular NH44 highway. Let me draw your attention on an alternate route to reach Kashmir traversing through scenic beauty of nature and YES, I am talking about “Mughal Road”. From Sept.05,2021 to April 30, 2023, I was Technical Officer to Chief Engineer Mughal Road Projects and I got an opportunity to study and know about the history and importance of this road. Today I have rendezvous with this most beautiful road of J&K UT.
A route linking Hirapur (modern Hirpora) in the Kashmir Valley with Poonch via the Pir Panjal Pass (Peer Ki Gali) has been used from ancient times. The road originated at the Mughal captital, Agra (in UP). It wound its way through Lahore (now in Pakistan) to Poonch, Rajouri and thence, to Srinagar in the valley. The Poonch segment of a road used to be called the Namak road (Presumably, the ‘salt road’) till Jehangir (early 17th century) travelled on it and renamed it the Mughal road. During period of Sultans it was extended up to Bhimber. Historian Mohibbul Hussain Writes, it played an important role during this period. King Akbar strengthened the road after conquering Kashmir. This road was also named as “Imperial Road”
Chief Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdulla took up this project in 1979 and named it ” Mughal Road”. But soon the project halted due to terrorism. Terrorists has blown Buffliaz Bridge. Actual construction started in 2005 with target dayte of completion in 2007 at an estimated cost of Rs255 crores. The work completed in December 2008 and 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. A double-lane road was completed and opened for light vehicles in August 2012. A Mughal Road Car Rally has been held annually since 2010.
There was a major bottleneck in the construction when a conservation trust petitioned in Hon’ble Supreme Court to stop construction citing that the road construction would create disturbance to animals in the Hirpora Wild Life sanctuary particularly “MARKHOR GOAT”. Hon’ble court gave conditional permission for construction of road and thus the work completed with delay.
Today Mughal Road is an alternate route to Kashmir valley and it has reduced the distance for the people of both distt. i.e Rajouri and Ponch. Mughal road is 84.10 km from Bafiaz to Shopian. It passes through scenic places like Buffliaz, Behramgala, Chandimarh, Dugran, Pushana, chatta pani, Mansar, Peer Ki Gali are also linked with it. Sarimastan and Girjan are the famous meadows on this region can be witnessed from this road.
The road is snow bound for 63 kms and out of which 21 kms of length is heavy snow bound and remains closed for almost 04 months. To over the problem and keep the road open through out the year, it is proposed that a tunnel shall be constructed from Chattapani to Zaznar. Until I was TO to Chief Engineer, there were two proposals for construction of tunnel:-
Option 1st: From Elevation 3029 MSL, the proposed length of tunnel is 8.508 Kms with then cost estimates 4124 crores . The tunnel will reduce the road length 13.10 Kms
Option 2nd: From elevation 3080 MSL, the proposed length of tunnel is 7.885 kms and estimated cost of construction 4055 Crores. It reduces the road length 13.72 Kms.
When I was transferred on my elevation to Superintending Engineer, the consultations and deliberations for construction of tunnel were going on and it was also being planned to hand over the road to national High Authorities of India for further widening and maintenance.
The road stretches as:
Station From Station To Length
Jammu Rajouri 151 Km
Rajouri Bffiliaz 31Km
Buffiliaz BehramGala
BehramGala Chandimarh
Chandimarh Dograj 44.10 Km
(Dogran)
Dograj(Dogran) Poshana
Poshana Chattapani
Chattapani Pir Ki Gali
Pir Ki Gali Alibad
Alibad Zaznar 40.0 Km
Zaznar Dubjan
Dubjan Hirapora
Hirapora Shopian
Shopian Srinagar 56 Km
Place to halt and adore: Pir ki Gali
Pir ki Gali is an attractive natural place located at 3490 mts above the sea level exactly on the boundary of Poonch and Shopian. Pir marg (meadow) surrounded with snow clad peaks, cool breeze and tribal life satyle starts from pir gali which is known as the crown of 240km log Pir panchal range, the 84.10 km long Mughal road passes through the heart of Pir Panchal via Pir gali which is 44.10 km away from Buffliaz Poonch and 40 km from Shopian with the opening of Mughal road great hustle bustle starts at Pir gali and simultaneously the surrounding natural resort and beautiful valley of seven lakes, Panj tarnimeadow, Girjan Doke, Tata kutti, peak, Chatta pani, Glacier come into lime light which are ideal for scenic and adventure Tourism.
In short, embarking on a road less travelled is often a gateway to discovering hidden treasures and unravelling the mysteries of the past. The Mughal Road, a historic route connecting Srinagar to Poonch and Rajouri and Jammu, takes the adventurous traveller through breathtaking landscapes and a journey back in time.
The Mughal Road, with its roots firmly embedded in history, presents a remarkable blend of cultural, economic, and strategic importance. As it winds through the Pir Panjal range, it carries with it the echoes of centuries past, inviting both locals and visitors to partake in its storied journey. The road remains an enduring symbol of connectivity, resilience, and the enduring legacy of the Mughal Empire in the picturesque landscapes of Kashmir. In epitomising, Mughal Road is – A Living Testament
(The author is Superintending Engineer (Retired) Structural Wing DIQC PWD J&K (FIE, Chartered & Professional Engineer, LMIAStructE, LMIRC, LMIBC)
