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| Connecting Kashmir gets priority but 135 year history is dismal | | | Early Times Reporter
NIRBHAY JAMMUAL
Jammu, Sept 14: The Jammu and Kashmir government is making all out efforts to do what then Maharaja's had to do under the influence of British administration but it has to be keenly seen that how much gaps are bridged between the two regions.
Even as the pace of work picks up on the Mughal road connecting the region of Rajouri-Poonch with Shopian in South Kashmir, the Chief Minister has asked for connecting Poonch with Badgam in Central Kashmir.
Apart from the purpose of infrastructure and economic development, the Jammu region has always been sought to be connected with Kashmir for the purpose of emotional integration. Historical records suggest that Maharajas used to have their own system of visiting and staying at different places in their State but the system of formal biennial Darbar was instituted only when British realized that there is need of close emotional coordination between Kashmir and Jammu regions. In this backdrop, the Darbar move system was started in 1872.
With more than 135 years of shuttling the seat of government between two capital cities binging no desired results of emotional coordination, the biggest such confidence building of the present century has arguably remained the Mughal road. On the one hand this road bring Kashmir close to Jammu and provides and alternate surface transport mode, on the other hand the experts see this as a source of emotional integration.
While the construction on the ADB funded Mughal road is on as a major developmental priority, the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today ordered linking Poonch with Badgam in central Kashmir. Highlighting the importance of better road connectivity, especially in remote and mountainous areas, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that there should be a shorter road link between Poonch and Kashmir valley and asked officers responsible for road construction to do a survey and prepare project report for Loran-Arizal road link.
Addressing largely attended public meetings at Loran and Sawjian in Poonch district, the Chief Minister asked R&B department to immediately start survey for construction of a 42 km road between Loran in Poonch and Arizal in central Kashmir district of Budgam. He asked senior R&B officers to make a detailed project report which would be sent to NABARD for funding. He said this shortest road link would open up the area for speedier development besides providing quick access to people on both sides. The proposed road would be in addition to the under-construction Mughal Road connecting the Valley with hilly district of Poonch in Jammu division.
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