JK News Today
Srinagar , June 15 PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has written a letter to Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari , reminding him of his commitment to have a tunnel constructed at Mughal Road to keep it through round the year.
Dear Gadkari Ji,
Adaab.
A few years ago, as Chief Minister I requested you to initiate the construction of three
tunnels – Rajdhani, Sadhna & Mughal road. As you are already aware, the Mughal road is the
only vital link that connects the valley to the Pir Panchal region in Jammu.
Unfortunately, Kashmir is cut off from the rest of the country owing to the fact that the sole
national highway connecting it remains mostly closed due to inclement weather conditions &
landslides.
The last few years have witnessed a surge in terms of road infrastructure & connectivity under
your tenure as the Roads, Transports & Highway Minister. But even to this day, J&Ks road
infrastructure hasn’t changed much. As a result, people continue to suffer huge losses on an
economic front & personal level. Our local economy is driven by horticulture which is its
backbone. I’m sure you are aware that tonnes of fruit rotted on the national highway last year
due to road closure. This was catastrophic for our farmers & the transport industry.
Despite Kashmir’s strategic location, it remains landlocked without railway links. Exorbitant air
travel leaves common masses with little choice but to travel via roads. In such difficult
circumstances, you can well imagine the inconvenience caused every time J&Ks only national
highway is closed. Therefore, a tunnel through the Mughal road would not only emerge as an
alternative route but also an all weather link that would facilitate human connectivity & flow of
goods & services.
I remember your positive response during the course of our meeting in 2017. I write to you today
hoping that you will bring your kind attention to this matter & initiate steps to kick start this
project without any further delay.
Regards,
Ms. Mehbooba Mufti
Date: 15-06-2023
