Ramban: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday directed that fruit-laden trucks from Kashmir and petroleum tankers from Jammu should be given priority on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities and timely transportation of horticultural produce during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
He reviewed the traffic situation on the highway following landslides triggered by heavy rains last week in Udhampur-Ramban stretch, an official press release informed.
Speaking to reporters at Peera in Ramban district during his journey from Jammu to Srinagar, Abdullah said that the government was mindful of the ongoing fruit season and the need to ensure that growers’ produce reached markets without delay.
“I am aware that this is the fruit season. People want their produce to reach the markets before it perishes. At the same time, the Amarnath Yatra is also underway, which has resulted in certain restrictions on the highway. Nevertheless, fruit-laden trucks should be given priority. Petroleum tankers coming from Jammu should also be accorded priority to ensure that there is no shortage of essential supplies,” he said.
Emphasising that the Jammu-Srinagar national highway is the lifeline of Kashmir, the chief minister directed the concerned agencies to expedite restoration works and take all necessary measures to ensure smooth, safe and uninterrupted movement of traffic.
The chief minister also stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among the NHAI, executing agencies, Traffic Police and the district administration to minimise inconvenience to commuters and ensure effective traffic management during the ongoing restoration works.
He instructed the officers to closely monitor vulnerable stretches, deploy adequate manpower and machinery wherever required, and complete the remaining works at the earliest while maintaining the highest safety standards.
The chief minister’s visit comes in the wake of the recent spell of heavy rainfall that triggered landslides, shooting stones and mudslides at multiple locations along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, leading to repeated closures of the arterial road over the past several days.
Earlier, the chief minister made a brief halt at Peera, where he had a traditional lunch comprising rajma, rice, desi ghee and anardana chutney before resuming his journey to Srinagar.
