Mughal Road Reopened; Over 400 Vehicles Carrying Essential Supplies Cleared for Kashmir
Trucks and tankers line up along Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Thursday
Srinagar / Jammu, September 4, 2025 — After concerted clearance operations and a window of improving weather, authorities reopened the historic Mughal Road connecting the Pir Panjal area to the Kashmir Valley. In the first phase of movement, officials reported that more than 400 vehicles carrying essential supplies — including food, medicines, fuel and emergency equipment — were escorted through to affected destinations in the Valley.
Background and Recent Disruptions
The Mughal Road, a vital link that shortens travel between Rajouri/Poonch side and Shopian/Anantnag regions of Kashmir, had been rendered impassable after intense rain and localized landslips earlier this week. Heavy downpours in the higher reaches of the Pir Panjal range caused multiple mudslides and damage to the carriageway, forcing a closure while disaster response teams assessed the route and removed debris.
Clearance Operations and Safety Measures
Authorities — led by the district administrations, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and local police — launched an overnight operation to repair sections of the road, shore up vulnerable slopes and prepare safe passage lanes. Road engineers first inspected bridges, culverts and slope stability; temporary retaining works and cleared sections were then opened to escorted convoys only.
Movement was allowed under strict controls: convoys were scheduled in daylight hours, speed restrictions were enforced, and rescue teams were placed on standby at key points. Authorities prioritized vehicles carrying essentials — food grains, bottled water, medicines, oxygen cylinders and fuel tankers — over private traffic to ensure immediate relief for isolated communities.
Humanitarian Focus: Supplies and Evacuations
Local administration sources said the first convoys included food rations for ration depots, medical consignments for community health centres, and equipment to restore electricity and communications in cut-off pockets. Several relief camps were being re-stocked and staffed, and medical teams were directed to high-priority locations where road access has only just been re-established.
Responders also used the reopening window to complete targeted evacuations of families in low-lying hamlets that remained at flood risk. Civil defence and local volunteers worked alongside SDRF units to ferry vulnerable residents and deliver immediate aid parcels.
Road Condition and Ongoing Risks
Despite the reopening, officials warned that sections of the Mughal Road remain fragile. The slope cover in some stretches is saturated, and further rain could trigger fresh slides. Drivers were specifically asked to avoid night travel and strictly adhere to convoy timings. BRO engineers said permanent repair work — such as strengthening of shoulders, re-grading of vulnerable slopes, and long-term drainage improvements — will continue until the monsoon threat subsides.
Local Impact & Economic Concerns
For Kashmir’s market towns and remote villages, the Mughal Road acts as an alternate supply route when the main Jammu–Srinagar highway faces disruptions. Even a short closure can cause price spikes for perishable goods and fuel shortages in isolated pockets. Local traders and cooperative societies welcomed the reopening but urged rapid completion of repairs so longer supply chains are not interrupted again.
Voices from the Ground
A shopkeeper in a border-adjacent town who received an initial consignment remarked: “Relief has started to come in; we had limited stocks for families and the reopening brings immediate respite. Still, we pray the rains stay away while repairs finish.”
A BRO officer coordinating repair teams said: “We have opened the route on a temporary basis after clearing slides and confirming structural safety of small bridges. Our teams remain deployed for monitoring and further stabilization.”
Coordinated Response & Administration Notes
District magistrates and divisional officials emphasized coordination between central and local agencies. Real-time weather monitoring, early-warning advisories and helpline numbers were circulated through local radio and social media channels. Officials also reiterated the need for residents in vulnerable zones to follow evacuation advisories and to not attempt to use the road outside authorized convoy windows.
What to Expect Next
- Temporary convoys will continue while repair crews work on permanent fixes.
- Priority will remain on humanitarian supplies and restoration of utilities.
- Traffic advisories and daily status reports will be issued by district control rooms and posted online.
Conclusion
The temporary reopening of the Mughal Road provides crucial relief to communities cut off by recent rains — enabling immediate delivery of essentials and enabling staged evacuations. Yet the road’s vulnerability during heavy weather highlights the need for sustained engineering strengthening and proactive disaster-proofing of mountain corridors that serve as lifelines for the Valley.
Source: Reporting consolidated from Daily Excelsior (original story). (Read original Daily Excelsior report)
Labels: Mughal Road, Flood Relief, BRO, Kashmir Supplies, Disaster Response
Tags: #MughalRoad #Kashmir #ReliefConvoy #BRO #FloodRelief
Disclaimer: This article is a journalistic summary prepared for Jammu News Portal based on reporting by Daily Excelsior and official local updates. Jammu News Portal is not responsible for original source errors; click the source link above for full details.
Post a Comment