SEP 17:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took part in a high-level virtual meeting today, chaired by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, to assess the ongoing restoration efforts of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. The meeting was convened to review the current condition of the highway and the progress being made in maintenance and repair works.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister voiced serious concerns about the prolonged closure of the highway, which has severely impacted fruit growers, traders, and transporters across Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that while road maintenance and blacktopping are essential for the long-term sustainability of the route, they should not come at the expense of vital traffic movement, especially during the ongoing fruit harvesting and trading season.
“The extended disruption of the Srinagar-Jammu highway is causing significant losses to our horticulture sector,” said Omar Abdullah. “Thousands of trucks carrying perishable fruit are getting delayed, which not only affects the economy but also the livelihoods of countless farmers and traders. There must be a balance between maintenance and uninterrupted traffic.”
In response, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari assured that the concerns raised would be promptly addressed. He acknowledged the economic importance of the Srinagar-Jammu highway and committed to prioritizing the clearance of backlog trucks and other heavy vehicles. Gadkari further added that blacktopping and other maintenance activities will be scheduled in a way that minimizes traffic disruptions.
He directed the concerned authorities to work closely with the Jammu and Kashmir administration to streamline traffic movement and implement a more coordinated approach to highway repair.
The virtual meeting ended with mutual agreement on the urgency of restoring smooth traffic flow on the highway while ensuring the necessary road improvement works continue efficiently and strategically.
