Treat disruptions on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway as an economic emergency: PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, JULY 29 (STC): People’s Democratic Party (PDP )president and former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has urged the administration to treat the disruptions on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway due to landslides and inclement weather as an “economic emergency” rather than merely handling it as a traffic management issue.
In a statement to the media, she said, “Every harvesting season represents a year of patience, investment and hope for our orchardists. Today, many growers are anxiously watching truckloads of their produce remain immobilised because the Valley’s road connectivity has been severely affected. The administration must recognise that this is not merely a traffic management issue but an economic emergency.”
The former Chief Minister urged the authorities to ensure the timely movement of horticultural produce and consider all safe alternative routes, including the Mughal Road, for suitable commercial vehicles.
“Kashmir’s horticulture sector supports the livelihoods of lakhs of people, including orchard owners, labourers, transporters, commission agents and packaging workers, and any prolonged disruption in the supply chain could inflict heavy losses on the rural economy, said Mehbooba’s party in its statement.
The party called for a dedicated operational framework involving the traffic police, civil administration and transport authorities to facilitate the movement of perishable fruit consignments whenever road conditions permit.
It also urged the administration to expand disaster management efforts beyond restoring road connectivity by protecting the livelihoods of those affected and ensuring growers do not suffer avoidable financial losses due to circumstances beyond their control.
(Straight Talk Communications)