KCCI concerned over authorities’ inadequate response to snowfall disruptions
Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has expressed serious concerns over the authorities’ lack of preparedness in responding to the recent snowfall, which has severely disrupted daily life across various districts of the Kashmir valley.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Chamber noted with dismay that, despite the forecast of significant snowfall beginning Friday, major roads were left unattended, and there was minimal deployment of personnel and snow-clearing machinery by district authorities, municipalities, and local bodies.
Reports of passengers being stranded along the Jammu-Srinagar Highway have added to the distress. Tourists en route to popular destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and Dodhpathri found themselves trapped due to the heavy snowfall. While many stranded tourists were rescued, the situation became so dire that locals in Gund Kangan opened their homes to provide shelter, while others sought refuge in community centres.
The Chamber pointed out that, given Kashmir’s regular winter snowfall, the administration should have a “Quick Response” mechanism in place to mitigate the consequences of such weather events. The lack of timely snow clearance and power outages have further compounded the challenges, especially in areas with snow-covered roads and streets.
The KCCI strongly urged the authorities to take immediate action to restore normal services and deploy personnel and machinery effectively during snowfall. The Chamber also called for a more robust winter preparedness strategy and rapid response mechanisms to manage weather-related challenges that are common during Kashmir’s winter months.
