Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday expressed strong resentment over the continued halting of apple-laden trucks on the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, saying the Union Government should hand over the vital road link to the Jammu and Kashmir administration if it cannot maintain it.
Speaking to reporters, Omar said the highway falls under the jurisdiction of the central government but remains blocked for days, crippling the Valley’s economy. “If they cannot maintain it, they should hand it over to us. I will deploy a team of engineers who are currently available here,” he said.
The Chief Minister noted that despite repeated assurances, the authorities had failed to make the road fully functional. “Enough is enough. We have been patient because they kept assuring us daily that restoration work would be done, but it did not happen,” he remarked.
Omar said he would take up the matter directly with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari. “I will speak with Gadkari Ji today and request that the highway be handed over to us and restored for truck movement,” he said.
Highlighting the plight of fruit growers who are bearing the brunt of the blockade, Omar said railway services must also be enhanced. “Running just one train is not sufficient. We are thankful for the train service that has started, but it should be operated on a regular basis so that fruit growers have the option to transport apples either by train or by road,” he added.
The closure of the Srinagar–Jammu highway during peak harvest season has left thousands of trucks stranded, causing huge losses to the horticulture sector, which is the backbone of Kashmir’s economy. [KNT]
