Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Saturday expressed optimism that the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway will be fully functional within a week.
He commended the efforts of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the divisional administration, and the traffic police in managing the crisis caused by repeated landslides and heavy rainfall.
“Every time the National Highway was restored, fresh landslides again created hurdles. At present, one-way traffic is being allowed on this vital route. The NHAI is working hard to restore the highway fully, and I am hopeful that within a week, it will be fully operational,” Dulloo told reporters in Baramulla.
Acknowledging the coordinated efforts of various departments, the Chief Secretary added: “The administration, traffic police, and divisional authorities worked tirelessly to regulate the movement of vehicles and minimize chaos. Stranded fruit-laden trucks from the Valley were cleared to prevent losses to traders, while LPG and fuel shortages were managed through special arrangements.”
Reflecting on the recent weather challenges, the Chief Secretary noted that torrential rains on August 14 triggered landslides, while the downpours of August 26–27 were several times heavier than the regional average. These conditions, he said, led to recurring blockages along the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, disrupting traffic and supply chains.
The Chief Secretary was on his visit to Baramulla today. During his review meeting with district officers in Baramulla, Dulloo also assessed the implementation of flagship programmes and centrally sponsored schemes. Stressing the importance of accountability and efficiency, he said: “We want our flagship schemes to be implemented in a way that directly benefits the people and provides them with better facilities.” (KINS)
Over 6,400 tonnes apples transported from Kashmir to Delhi in 2 weeks: Railways
Over 6,400 tonnes of apples have been transported from Kashmir to Delhi via parcel trains within two weeks, Jammu Division of Northern Railways said on Saturday.
Kashmir produces around 2-2.6 million metric tonnes of apples annually, accounting for about 70-80 per cent of the country’s total apple production.
The Jammu Division of Northern Railway is operating parcel trains carrying apples from Kashmir to Delhi after starting the service on September 11 with two parcel van coaches — one destined for Jammu and the other for Adarsh Nagar, Delhi.
“Each parcel van coachwas loaded with approximately 23 tons of goods. This was considered a historic achievement, as a parcel van coach first reached Adarsh Nagar, Delhi, from Budgam Railway Station (in Kashmir) in less than 21 hours, and another in Jammu in less than six hours,” Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu Division, Uchit Singhal said in a statement here.
On September 15, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off an eight-parcel van coach train, each with a weight capacity of 23 tonnes, from Srinagar to Adarsh Nagar, Delhi.
The start of the service coincided with the closure of 270-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, owing to massive damage caused by heavy rainfall between August 26 and September 6. (PTI)
