Azad welcomes Supreme Court's clearance to Mughal Road project

Srinagar, July 27 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today welcomed the clearance granted by the Supreme Court, paving the way for construction of all weather Mughal Road across Pir Panjal in the state.

Reacting to the apex court's decision, he said it was a welcome verdict that would give major push to the state government's efforts in completing an alternate and vital road link between the Kashmir valley and the Jammu province.

The government had argued its case with the Empowerment Committee, set up by the Supreme Court, and underscored the need and urgency of a road link connecting Kashmir's Shopian district with Rajouri in Jammu province, Mr Azad added.

He said the state government had adequately addressed the concerns of the apex court regarding the project.

Mr Azad said the construction of Mughal Road would shorten the distance between the Kashmir valley and Jammu and meet the long- pending demand of the people for reviving the historical link.

The completion of the project would give a fillip to the economic activity in the state, he added.

With decks having been cleared by the apex court, the state government's endeavor now would be to complete the project in the shortest possible time, the Chief Minister said in a statement here.

UNI