Expressing serious concern over economic losses suffered due to frequent closure of the national highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Saturday demanded to declare the historic Mughal road as national highway and also to restore the cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade.
A KCCI delegation, who called on Governor Satya Pal Malik at Raj Bhavan today raised these and other issues, an official spokesman said.
He said the delegation apprised Governor about economic losses suffered due to frequent closure of Jammu-Srinagar road link and requested for urgent repair of this road link.
They also urged him to declare Mughal road as a National Highway and introducing air connectivity between Srinagar and Jammu on the pattern of the ‘UDAN’ scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation; conversion of foot bridges on river Jhelum into motorable bridges.
They also demanded crop insurance scheme for Agriculture and Horticulture sectors, introduction of effective measures to prevent and manage floods, making available land for industrial use, making common STPs functional to protect water bodies; and revival of carpet manufacturing industry in State.
The KCCI also demanded restoration of cross-LoC between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PaK) which was suspended by the Centre last month.
The delegation extended invitation to Governor about the upcoming Ambassadors Meet in New Delhi on May 25.
Later, the KCCI delegation held an meeting with Baseer Ahmad Khan, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir. “The meeting was in consequence of the interaction held with the Hon’ble Governor in which issues relating to the air/road connectivity, traffic problems, and other urgent issues were brought to the notice of the Hon’ble Governor,” said a spokesman.
Khan, he said, took up the issue of stranded vehicles on the National Highway with the Divisional Commissioner Jammu. “It was decided that the goods laden vehicles on the National Highway would be given preference for clearance and directions to the effect were given to the traffic authorities,” said the spokesman.
Khan, he said, also constituted a Joint Committee for redressal of issues of trade and commerce with the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Joint Committee would be meeting every Saturday for a weekly review and follow-up of pending issues.