Authorities in Kashmir launched snow clearance operations and pressed sophisticated machines into service after heavy snowfall blocked the historical Mughal Road, an arterial road that connects several districts with the rest of the state.
The Mughal Road is a lifeline for border villages of the Kashmir Valley. It is of great importance as it connects Bafliaz, a town in Poonch District, to Shopian in Pulwama District in the valley. It also passes through the 'Pir Panjal' mountain range, which is located at an altitude of 3505 meters.
The Mughal Road has been closed for six months due to heavy snowfall that covered the valley.
Executive Engineer (Mughal Road), Mujeeb Ul Rehman Mirza, said the operations will be over by the end of April, provided the weather remains suitable.
"This year the snowfall was more than expected. This also led to many landslides in the region. The snow clearance work is going on. We have already reached till 30 kilometers. We are hopeful that by the end of April we will be able to remove the snow provided that the weather is fine," said Mirza.
The roadblock also hit the business of hotels and restaurants, making it difficult for the people to earn their livelihood.
"We were very happy when Mughal Road was constructed as we were hopeful that our business will flourish and we will open many hotels and start other businesses. But since the last five months the road has remained blocked. The government has used a lot of funds in the construction of the road but we have not been benefitted in any way," said a Rajouri District resident Abdul Hameed.