Study of Mughal road tunnel in progress: J-K govt

The Jammu and Kashmir Government today said that a proposed tunnel on the Mughal Road between Zaznar and Chattapani to keep the road open round the year, was under survey.
"A tunnel is proposed on the 84-km Bafliaz-Shopain road between Zaznar and Chattapani to keep the road open round the year. The seven-km long tunnel will reduce the distance by 10 kms and pre-feasibility survey of the tunnel is in progress," Minister for Roads and Buildings, Abdul Majeed Wani, said in the Legislative Council here.
He was replying on a Private Members Resolution moved by Panthers Party MLC, Syed Rafiq Ahmad Shah, regarding the road connectivity and development of tunnels on Mughal road, Tanghdar-Chowkibal and Bandipora-Lolab roads.

Regarding the construction of a tunnel on Kupwara-Tangdar road, the Minister said Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has initiated the feasibility study.
He added that the proposed tunnel, once completed, will reduce 24 kms of road distance besides keeping the road open round the year.
Wani said the road is avalanche prone and BRO has taken the matter with Snow Avalanche Study Centre to get the feasibility report.

The Minister also said the government has proposed to construct Lolab-Bandipora road but due to involvement of major forest land, the matter has been taken up with the Centre for construction of a tunnel to avoid forest land interference and cutting of trees.

Rafiq Shah, later on the assurance of the Minister withdrew his resolution.
Earlier, Wani informed the House that work on historical Mughal road, which was started in 2006, is expected to be completed this year.