State Secretary of CPI (M) Ghulam Nabi Malik Friday said that the decision of Jammu and Kashmir administration to restrict plying of civilian vehicles on the 97-km stretch from Qazigund to Nashri on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and suspension of train services on Banihal-Qazigund rail section from 10 am to 3 pm for 46 days during the Amarnathji Yatra is set to lead to massive socio-economic problems in the landlocked Kashmir.
“It will not only affect the local people immensely buttourists as well, who are visiting Kashmir these days, albeit in less numbers.The ban will make a huge impact on transporters, students, teachers, patients,schools, tourists and traders as well and as such the government must reviewthis decision,” Malik said in a statement.
He said transport is the engine of growth and highway is itslifeline when it is choked people will face the shortage of goods which weimport from different parts of the country. Shortage of goods will lead to ahike in prices and ultimately it will lead to the crisis.
“No doubt security of Amarnath pilgrims is important and thedecision must have been taken by the Government as a security issue. But whyshould be the issues of common people who will suffer hugely due to this orderleft unattended?” he added.
“Amarnath Yatra has been going on for decades and localpeople have always been part and parcel of making it successful. Even this wasrecently acknowledged by the Governor who lauded the role of locals in ensuringthe smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage over the years. This is the firstinstance of administration restricting civilian traffic along the highway tofacilitate smooth movement of Amarnath yatra convoys,” he added.