Hakeem Seeks urgent restoration Jammu-Srinagar Highway, alternative arrangements for stranded truckers

Srinagar : Hakeem Mohammed Yaseen, President Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Front (J&K PDF) and former Minister, has called for urgent action from both the Union Territory government and the Centre to restore the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which he describes as the “lifeline” of Kashmir.
In a statement issued here on Monday Hakrem expressed grave concern over the prolonged closure of the highway, exacerbating the difficulties faced by residents already affected by floods and heavy rains. Yaseen highlighted that the highway serves as the sole all-weather link between Kashmir and the rest of India, and its closure has severely disrupted passenger movement and caused significant hardships for traders, fruit growers, and truckers. He noted that thousands of vehicles, particularly those carrying perishable goods, are stranded, urging the government to provide immediate relief and alternative transport solutions, such as railway parcel services or the reopening of the Mughal Road. He pointed out a critical bottleneck on the highway, where a 300-meter stretch between Tharad and Balli Nallah has led to a drastic reduction in vehicle passage, from an average of 10,000 vehicles daily to only 700 to 1,000. Yaseen criticized the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for its negligence in maintaining the road and called for immediate widening and leveling of the damaged areas to prevent vehicles from becoming stuck. Yaseen appealed to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for personal intervention to ensure that urgent and permanent restoration measures are implemented. He emphasized that the highway is crucial for the local economy, especially during the peak fruit season, and that any disruption threatens the livelihoods of many families. He concluded by asserting that the restoration of the highway should be a top government priority