Click to play videoPir Ki Gali: For Chief Minister Omar Abdullah it was a tryst with history as he took the road used 400 years ago by the great Mughals to reach Kashmir. Omar test drove from Srinagar through Shopian to Poonch in Jammu along the Mughal road in a bid to integrate Kashmir with the rest of the country.
"This road will boost economy and tourism and provide alternate access to Kashmir. Driving to Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir is in the hands of the Centre," Omar Abdullah said.
The 84 km-Mughal road cuts through the Pir Panjal range between Jammu and Kashmir. The road in some places climbs as high as 11,000 feet.
When it opens to traffic in May 2010, it will be Kashmir's alternative link to the rest of the country. For the landlocked districts of Poonch and Rajouri, the connection with Kashmir Valley will open up new opportunities.
A Gujjar shephard in Rajouri, Nazeer Ahmed says, "We are very happy with this road. Now we can trade with Kashmir."
This is also being seen as a political bonus for Omar Abdullah as he will earn goodwill in an area which is the traditional stronghold of his rivals.
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