Handover Srinagar-Jammu highway to IIOJK govt if you can’t maintain it: Omar Abdullah to Delhi
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, amid mounting outrage over the prolonged halt of apple-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called on New Delhi to hand over the maintenance of the highway to his government if it is unable to ensure its proper functioning.
According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Omar Abdullah expressed his dissatisfaction with the ongoing situation, stating that the highway, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Indian government, is crucial to Kashmir’s economy, particularly for the apple industry. “If the Government of India cannot maintain it, they should hand it over to us. We have engineers available who can immediately begin restoration work,” he said.
The IIOJK Chief Minister criticized the repeated assurances from New Delhi that the highway would be restored, which, he said, have proven to be ineffective. “Enough is enough. We’ve been patient, but they have failed to make the road fully functional despite daily promises,” he added.
He further announced his plan to take up the issue with Indian Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. “I will personally speak with Gadkari and request that the highway be handed over to us for restoration and to allow truck movement to resume,” Omar said.
In addition, Omar highlighted the inadequacy of the ongoing train service, which has been used as an alternative transport option for fruit growers. “One train is not enough,” he stated.
The appeal comes amid rising concerns from farmers and traders in Kashmir, whose produce has been delayed for weeks due to the blockade of the Srinagar-Jammu highway.
