Shopian, Jul 02 (KNO): The historical Mughal Road has been witnessing a huge rush of traffic as hundreds of tourists visit the scenic spots along it daily.
The 84-km long road, which connects the Poonch district with Shopian at Bufliaz, was accorded national highway status three years ago.
Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that traffic has increased on the road after Jammu and Kashmir traffic authorities issued an order allowing empty trucks and fuel tankers to move towards Jammu from Kashmir via Mughal Road. The traffic has further increased in the past few days due to the closure of the national highway.
In the past few weeks, tourists from both the Poonch-Rajouri side and the Shopian side have been visiting Peer Ki Gali, Dubjan, and other beautiful spots along the road, an official said.
Tourists visiting the area told KNO that there is natural beauty along the road, but it lacks basic facilities, especially network connectivity. Not only tourists but also drivers travelling on the road said they face inconvenience due to the absence of facilities.
“Though travelling through Mughal Road from Shopian’s Hirpora gives you a feeling of heaven, the lack of facilities on the roadside makes the journey cumbersome,” said a traveller from Srinagar, adding, “There are no washrooms, shops, and eateries along the road for kilometres, causing suffering for those travelling on it.”
“If your vehicle has any issue, you won't be able to rectify it as no such facility is available on the road,” said a driver, adding that travelling along this road leaves one incommunicado for hours due to the lack of telecommunication. “In case of an emergency or an accident, no SOS call can be made. Hence, many avoid travelling on this road,” the driver added.
The travellers urged the government to take cognisance of the issues and provide better facilities along the road so that more tourists can visit the area. “That will also generate employment opportunities for locals and revenue for the government as well,” said a local stall owner at Peer Ki Gali.
Meanwhile, an official told KNO that various improvements are in the pipeline to ensure that tourists visiting Peer Ki Gali, Dubjan, and other spots along the road won't face any inconvenience.
“Keeping in view the need for toilet facilities along the road, work on gender-based toilets and portable bio-toilets at Dubjan has been taken up. Other facilities are being added along the road for the convenience of visitors,” he said—(KNO)