National Conference Additional General Secretary and former minister, Mr. Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, today expressed grave concern over the complete haltage of thousands of trucks on the National Highway due to road closure triggered by unprecedented rains, landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts.
In a statement, Sadhotra urged the Centre to immediately pool all available resources and work in tandem with Jenab Omar Abdullah led government for the earliest possible restoration of connectivity between the two vital regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sadhotra said the natural calamity has created havoc across J&K, leading to heavy loss of lives, extensive damage to property - especially dwelling units - and complete disruption of normal life. He described the situation as no less than a national emergency that demands urgent and coordinated intervention at the highest level.
Sadhotra stressed that given the scale of the disaster, restoration of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway must be treated as a national priority. He urged the Centre to coordinate with the J&K administration, National Highways Authority of India, Border Roads Organisation, National Disaster Response Force, and all other relevant agencies to deploy men and machinery round the clock for clearing the blocked highway. A multi-agency, time-bound operation is the need of the hour, he asserted.
Keeping in view the enormity of the situation, Mr. Sadhotra appreciated the initiative of Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah in taking up the issue directly with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Mr. Nitin Gadkari. He said this reflects the seriousness with which the state leadership is pursuing the matter and hoped that the Centre will respond with urgency to ensure immediate restoration of connectivity.
He also lauded the proactive persuasion of Jenab Omar Abdullah in getting the Kashmiri apple transported through special freight trains from the Valley and sought enhancing frequency of the service and increasing the number of trains.He said that thousands of truckers have been stranded on the highways for days together, facing immense hardships due to the unending traffic halt. The prolonged disruption has severely impacted the movement of essential commodities, creating a situation that could lead to scarcity and further hardships for the people. He said that truckers, who are the backbone of supply chains, are suffering immensely, with their vehicles stuck in precarious stretches, leaving them with dwindling food, fuel, and basic necessities.
Highlighting the economic dimensions of the crisis, Mr. Sadhotra drew attention to the massive obstacles in the transportation of fruit from Kashmir to various mandis across the country. The horticulture sector, which is the mainstay of Kashmir's economy, is facing serious setbacks as perishable fruit is unable to reach markets on time, causing irreparable losses to growers and traders alike. If urgent steps are not taken, the livelihood of thousands of families dependent on horticulture will be severely hit, he cautioned.
Equally concerning, Sadhotra said, is the obstruction in the supply of essential commodities into the Valley besides hilly pockets of Jammu. Foodgrains, medicines, petroleum products, and other daily necessities are all being held up, compounding the miseries of the people. This, he said, is an alarming situation that calls for special attention by the Government of India.
He said the human suffering caused by this blockade cannot be overlooked and hoped that the governments will step in on a war footing to alleviate the distress of the suffering people.
Sadhotra reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is passing through an extraordinary situation where prompt action, empathy, and effective governance are imperative.
"The nation must rise in solidarity with the people of J&K at this critical juncture," he added.