Srinagar, Sep 15 (KNO): Minister Javed Ahmad Dar, along with MLA Shangus Advocate Reyaz Khan and MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi on Monday visited Jablipora and Qazigund to assess the situation on the Srinagar–Jammu national highway.
The visit comes amid protests by Kashmir’s major fruit mandis against the continued closure of the highway, which has severely disrupted the movement of apple trucks to markets outside the Valley.
In a post on X, per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), office of the Chief Minister said the government is in constant touch with all authorities and that every effort is being made to transport fruit out of the Kashmir Valley.
“The unprecedented closure of the highway due to heavy rains and repeated landslides has been one of the worst disruptions in recent memory. Despite round-the-clock efforts, clearance has been hampered by continuous slides,” it said.
It added the Chief Minister has personally been monitoring the situation from day one, holding multiple review meetings, expediting road clearance, regulating traffic, and ensuring the uninterrupted movement of essential supplies.
The Minister interacted with truck drivers, traders, and transport officials at Qazigund, emphasizing the need to give top priority to fruit-laden trucks to prevent delays and safeguard the interests of farmers and traders.
During the visit, he also inspected damaged stretches of the highway in Udhampur district, reviewing ongoing repair works and coordination between agencies to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow.
DIG Udhampur Sridhar Patil and other senior officers briefed the Minister about the restoration works and traffic clearance in Udhampur particularly the Tharad -Balli Nallah stretch where extensive damages have occurred.
SSP Udhampur Amod Ashok Nagpure; SSP Traffic Adil Hamid and several prominent citizens were also present during the visit of the Minister.
Earlier, during the tour, the Minister also chaired a review meeting at DC Office Ramban, which was attended by DDC Chairperson Dr. Shamshad Shan; MLA Banihal Sajjad Shaheen; MLA Anantnag East-Shangus, Reyaz Ahmad Khan; MLA, Anantnag West, Abdul Majeed Bhat; Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mohammad Alyas Khan, SSP Ramban Arun Gupta and other senior officers.
The Deputy Commissioner briefed the Minister on measures taken to ease congestion, particularly between Banihal and Nashri, and on arrangements made for meals and support services to stranded drivers and passengers by the district administration, J&K Police, and NHAI.
Minister Dar urged the Deputy Commissioner and SSP to personally monitor traffic management on NH-44 and ensure uninterrupted passage for fruit-laden trucks, reiterating the government’s commitment to minimizing losses to the farming community—(KNO)