Drawing the attention of the government towards the frequent closures of Srinagar-Jammu highway, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has called for brining air travel in the essential services Act.
“Being the only form of travel available to the consumer during winter months, the government should consider declaring air travel as an essential service and bring it under the relevant Act to cap airfares,” said president KCCI Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad in a statement.
He said exploitation of consumers by the airlines, which take advantage of bad weather conditions and closure of Srinagar, need to be urgently checked.
The highway has been a major problem for the commuters throughout the winters and the administration is requested to make harder efforts to evacuate stranded passengers and travellers and also ensure that those stranded are well provided for, he said.
The KCCI also lauded the efforts put in by the administration for “ensuring minimum disruption” of normal life due to snowfall.
Ashiq said the administration appeared to be fully geared up on all fronts and not only VIP areas but all nooks and corners, lanes and bye-lanes were cleared of snow and supplied regular electricity.
Meanwhile, the executive members of KCCI held a detailed interaction with chief engineer PDD, Kashmir, Hashmat Qazi at the chamber office.
Qazi gave an overview of the present power scenario of the valley which was followed by discussions on several issues like the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, problems of unscheduled power curtailments in industrial areas, delay in power sanctions, issues regarding evening curtailments in commercial areas, absence of street lighting, etc.