The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — While famed tourist destinations in Kashmir, including Gulmarg and Pahalgam, are yearning for precipitation, Hirpora on the Mughal road is experiencing a thin blanket of snow, drawing hundreds of eager onlookers.

The Mughal road, an 84-kilometer stretch connecting Shopian in Kashmir with Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu, typically remains closed for a substantial portion of the winter due to heavy snowfall and the risk of high-danger avalanches. However, a prolonged dry spell this winter has kept the road open, creating a unique opportunity for tourists to explore Hirpora, currently adorned in a pristine layer of snow.

Locals from South Kashmir, who usually contend with inaccessible tourist spots like Dobjan and Peer Ki Gali during winter, are now flocking to the Mughal road to witness the rare phenomenon of snowfall. Speaking with The Kashmir Pulse, Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat, a local restaurant owner from Shopian, expressed the novelty of the situation, saying, "It feels like we are tourists too."

The lack of snowfall in premier tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam has left residents and visitors alike disappointed, making the snow-covered landscapes of Mughal road all the more enticing. The region is attracting attention as a feasible day trip, with Hirpora easily accessible and just half an hour's drive from Shopian town.

Altaf Ahmad, a local, emphasized the convenience, stating, "It is a feasible day trip." The journey to Hirpora along the Mughal road offers breathtaking views, with mountains adorned by tall pine trees, providing a picturesque winter landscape.

Established in 2015, the Shopian-Dubjan-Peer Ki Gali Development Authority aims to enhance the region's tourism potential. With the snowfall this winter, Hirpora and the Mughal road have become unexpected attractions, offering a unique experience for both locals and tourists eager to witness the beauty of Kashmir's winter wonderland.

SRINAGAR — While renowned tourist destinations in Kashmir, such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam, eagerly await rainfall and snow, Peer Ki Gali, a picturesque spot on the Mughal road, is blanketed in thick snow but lacks visitors.

The 84-kilometre stretch connecting Shopian in Kashmir with Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu usually remains closed for four to six months due to heavy snowfall and is prone to high-danger avalanches.

However, due to a prolonged dry spell, it has remained open this winter. This provides an opportunity for tourists to explore Peer Ki Gali, which is currently covered in a pristine layer of snow, while the premier tourist destinations await snowfall to attract visitors.

Speaking with the news agency KNO, a social activist Mansoor Magray from Shopian said several tourist spots like Peer Ki Gali, Sukh Sarie, Dobjan, Gadde and Zowara have been neglected by all the previous governments. He said there is a need to promote these destinations to attract more tourists. “This will also become a significant source of income for the youth of Shopian,” he said.

Magray said while the government is considering postponing events at Gulmarg due to the lack of snow, Peer Ki Gali could offer accessible snow-covered landscapes if proper infrastructure were developed. “Tourists from other states, who are disappointed by the absence of snowfall in famous places like Gulmarg, could find solace in exploring Peer Ki Gali,” he said.

Rouf Ahmad, a local, said Peer Ki Gali is easily accessible and is just an hour’s drive from Shopian town. “It is a feasible day trip. Despite being shrouded in snow, Peer Ki Gali lacks tourist rush due to the absence of adequate facilities, though some locals visit the area,” he said.

Locals said other spots like Dabjan, Hirpora and Mughal Sarai have mountains adorned with tall pine trees along the route to Peer Ki Gali.

We urge Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the tourism department to promote these destinations, especially Peer Ki Gali, they said.

In 2015, the government established the Shopian-Dubjan-Peer Ki Gali Development Authority to develop the area.

An official said that some developmental steps were taken this year, with more initiatives in the pipeline.“Efforts are underway to promote these tourist destinations to attract a larger influx of visitors,” he said.

POONCH — The vital Mughal Road, pivotal in connecting Kashmir Valley's Shopian district with the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch, has reopened subsequent to its closure owing to recent snowfall, as confirmed by officials on Monday.

Officials reported that the road had been rendered impassable due to fresh snowfall, particularly around Pir Ki Gali, leading to its closure on December 16.

DySP PC Surankote, Hamid Ali Bandey, verified the road's reopening, signifying a crucial step in restoring connectivity for the region.

The Mughal Road, acclaimed as an alternate route to the Jammu-Srinagar Highway, has faced periodic closures this year due to snowfall, notably in the Pir Ki Gali area and its surrounding regions. These closures have often disrupted the flow of transportation and connectivity in the area, emphasizing the significance of prompt clearance efforts following adverse weather conditions.

SHOPIAN — In order to provide better facilities to the tourists and other travellers on the Mughal Road, the government has proposed several facilities the work on which is expected to start soon.

Mohammad Jahangir Hakeem, Executive Engineer Shopian, Peer Ki Gali-Dubjan Tourism Development Authority, in an exclusive interview with the news agency KNO said that various things are in the pipeline so that the tourists visiting the Peer Ki Gali, Dubjan and other spots along the road won't face any inconvenience.

He said that keeping in view the need for toilet facilities along the road, the work on gender-based toilets and portable bio-toilet at Dubjan will start in the next few days.

"In the coming time, such facilities will be kept available at other spots as well. As of now, toilet facilities are already available at Peer Ki Gali," he said.

Hakeem said two viewpoint decks, one each at Dubjan and Peer Ki Gali, are being constructed at the cost of Rs 20 lakh so that the tourists can enjoy the beauty of nature. “There is a famous spring in Dubjan where people have been visiting for baths to get relief from pains and this spring is being rejuvenated at a cost of Rs 10 lakhs,” he said.

“The work on a coffee shop near Dubjan bridge will also start soon so that tourists can enjoy coffee along the beauty of nature with beautiful sounds of fast running water of Ranbiara,” he added.

The Executive Engineer further said, “There are two Mughal Sarai on the road but people are unable to go there due to steep slopes, but the department has proposed all-weather roads for both of them that will be constructed at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore and Rs 3 crore respectively. Parking facilities are being extended along the road at a cost of Rs 12 lakh besides that facilities are being enhanced at Bohrihalan TRC for which Rs 20 lakh have been sanctioned.”

"For extending and beautification of the water channel at Bohrihalan, Rs 8 lakh has been sanctioned and work is expected to start next week only," he said, adding that more steps are being taken and many things are in the pipeline to make the Peer Ki Gali, Dubjan and other areas along the road as better tourist spots.

"This will create employment opportunities for locals and generate revenue for the government as well," Hakeem said.

SRINAGAR — In view of the forth-coming Amarnath Yatra, all the tankers and empty vehicles from Jammu will be allowed via Mughal road only.

An order issued by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said the downside movement of fruit-laden trucks and other vehicles is being hampered and requires to be given priority.

“In view of the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2023 and taking into account the condition of National Highway-44, besides, the erratic weather which is leading to frequent landslide and shooting stones. The downside movement of fruit-laden trucks and other vehicles is being hampered and requires to be given priority,” the order reads.

Accordingly, all tankers of Petrol, Diesel and LPG bulk gas; all empty LPG cylinder carrying trucks; all empty vehicles of FCI and any other vehicle having up to 10-tyres while returning to Jammu shall only use Mughal Road.

“In view of the above, you are enjoined up to impress upon the concerned to follow directions immediately. The Mughal Road will remain open for vehicular traffic from morning 6.00 AM to 6.00 PM," the order reads.

“Any violation of the same may attract punitive action from Traffic Police. Action taken report shall reach immediately,” the order reads.

JAMMU — The Mughal Road, connecting Kashmir valley's Shopian district with the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, was partially reopened for vehicular traffic after it was blocked for six days due to a landslide here, officials said.

"Debris from the landslides has been cleared partially and vehicular traffic has been restored at the affected place," the officials said.

On May 31, heavy rains triggered a major landslide on Mughal Road near Ratta Chamb bridge, blocking traffic movement in the region.

SRINAGAR — The historic Mughal Road was on Friday thrown open for one-way traffic from Bufliaz to Peer Ki Gali.

As per an order, a copy of which lies with the news agency KNO, District Magistrate ordered allowing one-way traffic on Mughal Road from May 12.

“In view of clearance of snow accumulation and landslides from 19 km (Dogrian) to 43 km Peer Ki Gali as intimated by Chief Engineer, Mughal Road Wing and Executive Engineer, Mechanical Engineering Division, Rajouri-Poonch, the movement of one-way traffic is hereby allowed on Mughal Road from Bufliaz to Peer Ki Gali w.e.f 12-05-2023," the order reads.

“Furthermore, Sr. Superintendent of Police Poonch, Sub Divisional Magistrate Surankote and Dy. SP Traffic Rajouri-Poonch shall deploy sufficient personnel at Behramgalla, Bufliaz and Poshana Checkposts to ensure smooth movement of vehicles with strict compliance of this order," it added.

Srinagar-Leh highway opened for traffic after four days

The Srinagar-Leh highway, which was blocked due to multiple avalanches at Zojilla Pass, has been restored for traffic after four days on Friday.

An official told the news agency KNO that the highway was blocked after multiple avalanches that occurred on May 8.

He said that now traffic has been restored after four days and people are advised to travel with precautions in order to avoid any untoward incident.

Meanwhile, the J&K Traffic Police on its official Twitter handle said, “Traffic released on SSG road after clearance avalanche. People are advised to follow lane discipline.”