The Kashmir Pulse

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.