“Estimated at ₹3,830 crore, the project aims to make the 84-km Mughal Road—linking Shopian, Rajouri, and Poonch—operational year-round. Heavy snowfall at Peer Ki Gali and Bafliaz currently isolates this route for nearly half the year, increasing physical and psychological isolation.”
The Union Government’s much-anticipated approval for the construction of the Peer Ki Gali tunnel on the Mughal Road is a landmark step toward transforming Jammu and Kashmir’s connectivity landscape. Estimated at a cost of ₹3,830 crore, the project promises to make the 84-km Mughal Road — which connects Shopian in South Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in the Pir Panjal region — operational throughout the year. Currently, heavy snowfall at Peer Ki Gali and Bafliaz cuts off this crucial route for nearly half the year, deepening both physical and psychological isolation. Once completed, the tunnel will provide a reliable, all-weather alternative route to Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44), which is frequently shut due to landslides and adverse weather conditions. But beyond the logistics, this project carries deep political, social, and symbolic importance — especially for the people of Rajouri and Poonch, now part of the newly formed Anantnag–Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency. The Mughal Road, once a seasonal link, will soon serve as a permanent bridge between these border districts and the Valley. With the tunnel in place, residents of Poonch and Rajouri will be able to travel to Srinagar — the summer capital of J&K — in much less time and with far greater certainty. This is not only crucial for access to healthcare, trade, and education, but also for political representation. Voters and citizens from the Pir Panjal region will now be able to meet their elected Member of Parliament from the Anantnag–Rajouri seat in Srinagar without having to traverse the long and often perilous NH-44. This development strengthens the democratic fabric of J&K by enabling easier and more frequent interactions between constituents and their representatives. It allows residents from these remote border districts to participate more fully in political processes, government outreach programs, and public discourse. In regions like Rajouri and Poonch, which have historically felt neglected or distanced from the decision-making centers, this tunnel could help bring the administration closer to the people — both literally and symbolically.
“The Peer Ki Gali tunnel represents more than just an engineering feat; it symbolizes a significant opportunity for enhancing governance and fostering integration in the region. If successfully implemented, the tunnel has the potential to transform travel dynamics, facilitating not only physical movement but also deeper connections among the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This project aims to promote a sense of belonging and unity, ultimately redefining community engagement in the area.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah rightly hailed the Centre’s announcement as a “major achievement,” expressing gratitude for a ₹10,600 crore package of road and tunnel projects approved for J&K. His acknowledgement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari reflects a moment of cross-party consensus on a developmental issue that transcends politics. However, turning this vision into reality will require efficient and corruption-free execution. J&K’s history with infrastructure projects is riddled with delays and inflated costs. This tunnel cannot become another victim of bureaucratic complacency. Moreover, construction must be carried out with ecological sensitivity, given that the route traverses pristine and fragile mountain ecosystems. In sum, the Peer Ki Gali tunnel is not just an engineering project — it’s a long-overdue bridge to opportunity, governance, and integration. If implemented as promised, it could redefine not only how people travel, but also how they connect, engage, and belong in a more united Jammu and Kashmir.
