Kashmir Highway sinking row: Hakeem seeks operation of army Dakota service from Jammu to Kashmir on permanent basis

Srinagar/ January 11: Chairman Peoples Democratic Front ( PDF) Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen has appealed the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha to immediately press into service Army Dakota planes on regular basis for ferrying stranded passengers at Srinagar and Jammu and importing essential commodities to Kashmir in the wake of closure of Srinagar-High way, the only surface link between Kashmir with rest of the country . He said due to acute irreparable condition , the Kashmir Highway has been rendered practically unserviceable and impredictable now.
In a statement issued on Monday Hakeem strongly demanded for introduction of Army Dakota service to ferry passengers to and from Srinagar and Jammu as the National Highway has become totally unserviceable due to its acute dilapidated condition. He said sinking of road at Kela morh between Ramsu and Ramban stretch has left no alternative to restore Srinagar-Jammu Highway for vehicular movement in near future. He said not only in winter period, the National – Highway now gets unpredictability closed even during dry seasons. He said the highway has become a death trap due it’s dilapidated condition taking heavy toll of precious human lives each passing day.
PDF Chairman has urged the UT government to rise to the occasion and start Dakota service as early as possible for ferrying passengers and essential commodities to Kashmir till ongoing work on four laning of the National highway is completed .He said due to continued dilapidated condition of Srinagar-Jammu highway, people of Kashmir were facing tremendous hardships adding that Army Dakota service from jammu to Kashmir on regular basis was utmost need of the hour.