Ajaz Dar
Shopian, Jan 7 : The Mughal Road remained closed for traffic for the second consecutive day on Wednesday due to fresh snowfall and slippery surface conditions, while the Srinagar–Jammu national highway continued to remain open for both light and heavy motor vehicles.
Officials said sustained snow accumulation and icy stretches, particularly near Peer Ki Gali, have prevented the restoration of safe vehicular movement on the high-altitude road connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Poonch in the Pir Panjal region.
The Border Roads Organization, through its 79 Road Construction Company based in Poonch, has intensified snow clearance operations, deploying men and machinery in challenging weather conditions to reopen the route.
Peer Ki Gali, situated at an altitude of around 13,000 feet, continues to witness severe winter conditions, making clearance operations slow and risky. Officials said the road has been closed along the Shopian–Poonch stretch due to continuous snowfall and freezing temperatures that rendered the surface unsafe for traffic.
“Despite adverse conditions and difficult terrain, BRO personnel are working round the clock to clear thick layers of snow and restore connectivity at the earliest. Heavy snow cutters and earth-moving equipment have been pressed into service on priority stretches,” officials said.
Authorities said the reopening of the Mughal Road remains a key focus as it serves as a vital alternate link between the Kashmir Valley and the Pir Panjal region, particularly during periods when other routes face disruption.
Meanwhile, traffic on the Srinagar–Jammu national highway was reported to be moving smoothly for both LMVs and HMVs, providing relief to commuters and transporters amid the continued closure of the Mughal Road. [KNT]
