Shopian, Rajouri (Jammu and Kashmir), Nov 27 : Omar Abdullah drove on the historic ''Mughal'' road today, the road used by Mughal Emperor Akbar 400 years ago to travel to Kashmir.

The road links Shopian in Kashmir Valley with Poonch in Jammu Division.

The road is nearing completion and despite heavy snowfall, the work is continuing uninterrupted.

The State Chief Minister who drove on the historic road on a silver vehicle expressed his gratitude to the Central government for its support.

The government has funded more than 6 billion rupees for the project.

"We are trying to throw open the road for traffic by June-July next year. There will be no dearth of money needed to build the road as the federal government has decided to fund the project," said Abdullah.

The locals here said that transportation would become easier once the road is complete.

"This road will benefit us a lot as transport will become easier for people travelling to Poonch," said Ghulam Hassan, a local resident.

In AD 1856, Akbar led Mughal army had reached this mountainous road and defeated Yousuf Shah Chek, the king of Kashmir. (ANI)