Gadkari said around 500 km of the road network has been completed in the region since 2014, and about 1700 km of roads are under construction at a cost of Rs 75,000 crores. He announced about the tunnels and two-lanes for the Mughal road which will make the roads commute friendly through all weather conditions.

“Whenever Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir would meet me, they would insist that the Mughal road should be made all-weather road. I am announcing today that the historical Mughal road that links Poonch district of Jammu with Kashmir Valley will be made a two-lane and all-weather road,” Gadkari said smiling.

The announcement arrives in the backdrop of Shiv Sena recently protesting in Jammu, seeking to rename the Mughal Road.

The 84-km long road has provided an alternative link road to the Valley since it was opened for traffic in 2010. The road passes over the Pir Panjal mountain range, at an altitude of 11,500 ft (3505 m) which is higher than the Banihal pass.

The road was historically used by Mughal emperors to conquer and travel Kashmir during the sixteenth century. Akbar used the route to conquer Kashmir in 1586, and his son Emperor Jahangir died while returning from Kashmir on this road near Rajouri.

The road passes through scenic places including Buffliaz, Behramgala, Chandimarh, Dugran, Pushana, Chatta Pani, Mansar, Peer Ki Gali. Sarimastan and Girjan. Famous meadows in this region can be witnessed from this road which remains closed during the winter.

Chingus Fort in Rajouri District where emperor Jehangir died during his return from Kashmir still exists. His body was kept in a fort for some time. At Thanamandi in Rajouri, there is a grand Sarai and a terrace called Noori Chamb waterfalls, named after the Noor-Jehan, queen of Jahangir.

The road was abandoned altogether since 1947. However, reconstruction work on the road started in 2005 during the PDP-led government, and in 2010 the then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah travelled to Jammu via the Mughal road.

Fragile Himalayas

As the Jammu-Srinagar highway is frequented with landslides, Gadkari conceded that the Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir are very fragile and they are coming downwards due to digging. He however insisted that the work will not stop and the roads in Jammu and Kashmir would be made at par with America.

Gadkari added that about 41 significant tunnels are being constructed in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh at a cost of Rs 45,000 crore.

In order to make the journey between Jammu and Srinagar comfortable, three corridors budgeted at Rs 35,000 crores are being constructed. The minister also said that a distance of 320 kms between Jammu and Srinagar will get reduced by 70 km upon the completion of these corridors.

The design of four lanes of the Jammu-Srinagar highway is based on geotechnical and geo-scientific investigations, meant to reduce the obstruction caused by landslides. A new 78 km four-lane ring road is also being constructed in Srinagar at a cost of Rs 4,660 crores.

Journey To Amarnath

The Union Minister said a four-lane road will be constructed from Khanabal to Panjtarni to ease the journey of Amarnath pilgrims. He pointed?that by improving the road infrastructure, J&K will witness a three to four times increase in tourist footfall in coming years.

Talking about the Zojila tunnel, Gadkari said 38 per cent of work has been completed and work is on at full pace for its completion. He said the Z Morh tunnel would be opened by October 2023.

Earlier the Union Minister along with the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha and Members of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Road Transport and Highways inspected the geo-strategically important Z-Morh tunnel and Zojila Tunnel. It will establish all-weather connectivity for Ladakh and is Asia’s longest tunnel.

He said the completion of the Zojila tunnel would realize the dream of Kashmir to Kanyakumari. He said once the project is completed, the Prime Minister would inaugurate it. He had earlier mentioned that work was carried out on the project even under minus 25 degrees. “I am happy that the parliamentary committee inspected the site. They would convey to the country the conditions under which work is being carried out in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

On Land Acquisitions

He said his government’s approach towards land acquisition is very liberal. “These days farmers don’t come to me complaining that their land shouldn’t be acquired, but rather insist that their land should be used for the road construction. We have adopted a liberal approach towards land acquisition,” he said. Every year, the government gives Rs 1 lakh crore for land acquisition alone, he added.

The government is taking appropriate measures to ensure the security of workers and the infrastructure, he remarked.

He said the government has taken assistance from the police and the army in some places. “I must tell you, we are not facing any difficulty while executing our projects in Jammu and Kashmir. We have a good climate in J&K and people are giving full support to us and that is why we are working at a good pace,” Gadkari said.