Jammu, Feb 11: Expressing concern over the miserable condition of stranded passengers at Jammu due to continued closure of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, Chairman PDF Hakeem Yaseen has urged the Governor S P Malik to press into service free air sorties and helicopter service to evacuate stranded passengers on war footing basis.
In a statement issued to media, Hakeem Yaseen has said as the Srinagar-Jammu Highway remains closed for 6th consecutive day, the plight of stranded passengers is becoming miserable each passing day. He has demanded free air sorties for stranded passengers both at Jammu and Srinagar. “Governor administration should immediately press into service helicopters and Army Dacotas to evacuate to safer places those stranded passengers also who are stuck at various places in between the National Highway especially near Ramsoo, Maroog, Ramban, Digdool and Chanderkote.
He said that continued closure of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway has arisen an emergency like situation in Kashmir due to acute shortage of essential commodities. He said due to continued land sliding between Ramsoo-Ramban sector, the condition of National Highway has become totally un predictable adding that Governor administration should airlift stranded passengers as well as essential commodities to Kashmir on war footing basis. He said hundreds of vehicles are stuck at various vulnerable spots on the Highway creating crisis of essential supplies in the Kashmir Valley.
He said as per sources over 3,000 vehicles are stranded along the nearly 300-kilometre long High way for the last six days many of which are carrying essential supplies for the landlocked valley. Due to the non-availability of essentials a crisis like situation has arisen in Kashmir,” Hakeem Yaseen has said adding that people are facing severe shortages of edibles like vegetables, poultry products, mutton and petroleum products as well.
PDF Chairman has said that airfare between the valley and outside has skyrocketed after the closure of the highway forcing hundreds of valley-bound stranded people to stuck at Jammu due to shortage of money.
PDF Chairman said despite hue and cry from all quarters over the prevailing situation, the administration seems to be napping. He has sought Governors personal intervention to deal with the situation so that stranded passengers are rescued.
Hakeem Yaseen has also urged to make Mughal road and Kishtwar-Daksum road as all weather alternate highways by started work on proposed tunnels there.
