HIGHWAY DIKTAT: No blanket ban on civilian traffic: Govt

Srinagar, Apr 5: The government on Friday sort to wriggle itself out of the tight-cordon over the order on closure of highway twice a week by announcing that it was a “not a blanket ban”.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, during a presser here, said there would be no “blanket ban” on the civilian traffic, while claiming that restrictions during the two days were for the “convenience of people”.
Flanked by Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, SP Pani, the Divisional Commissioner said that the government has “found alternatives to ensure people don’t have to suffer”.
“I held a meeting with top police officers and district development commissioners on how to regulate the traffic on the national highway on Sundays and Wednesdays,” Khan said.
“Not allowing civilian traffic on the highway during the two days is to ensure that people don’t have to wait for unnecessary hours as vehicles of army convoys will be in large numbers. Government found it better to put restrictions during these days so that public traffic runs normally during the remaining weekdays,” he said.
The state government announced on Wednesday that no civilian traffic would be allowed to ply on the national highway from Baramulla till Udhampur on Sunday and Wednesday every week. The prohibition, as per the order, shall stay until May 31.
Khan said that there would be no restrictions on vehicles of “medical emergencies, schools, colleges, government employees, people running business establishments, those who have orchards near the highway, tourist vehicles, and those who have to travel by air”.
Khan said that election rallies and campaigners will be allowed to use the highway only after proper verification.
Those needing to travel on the highway, he said, would be given special passes and there will be no restriction on them.
“Even at times of medical emergency, special magistrates will be on roads and will give the needy on spot passes. Numbers will also be shared at district levels to ensure people don’t face any inconvenience at the time of emergency,” the Div Comm said.
He added there would be no restrictions on crossing over the highway except at the time of the actual convoy movement.
He said that people “can also use alternate routes along the highway”.
Asked why troops can’t be moved by trains or by air traffic, he replied, “Huge number of troops can be moved only by road. Once elections are over, then there will be less movement of troops.”
Admitting that people would face inconvenience and seeking their cooperation, the IGP said there would be deployment of police, traffic, paramilitary forces, and officials of district administration for the assistance of people.
The highway ban diktat was issued in the backdrop of deadly car bomb attack that took place on February 14 on a CRPF convoy in south Kashmir’s Pulwama.