SRINAGAR: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, today undertook an extensive tour of National Highway-44 (NH-44) to assess the status of fruit-laden truck movement and review infrastructure challenges affecting transportation.
The Minister interacted directly 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 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.
