Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Sept 17: Accusing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of a “delayed” response, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today demanded an exclusive corridor for fruit-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
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Speaking to reporters here, Mufti said the start of the parcel train service would not have much impact due to its limited carrying capacity, and that only a dedicated corridor for fruit trucks could ensure effective transportation.
“The J&K Government, along with the Centre, should ensure an exclusive corridor to facilitate the movement of trucks. If trucks reach Qazigund by 6 p.m. and ply between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. exclusively, only then will it make a difference,” she said.
The PDP chief also criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for “delayed measures,” saying the problem could have been resolved earlier.
“Omar Sahab called Gadkari Ji, but he could have called him 15 days ago. Everyone knows that the National Highway is under the Centre-be it during the time of Dr Farooq, Mufti Sahab, or myself,” she said.
She also lashed out at Abdullah for stating that NH issues were not under his control, accusing him of running away from responsibility.
“It has always been under the Centre, and saying that it was not under his control was simply shirking responsibility,” she remarked.
Mufti said horticulture was the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, while the National Highway remained its “jugular vein.”
She stressed that successive Governments in J&K had always understood the importance of the fruit industry and ensured immediate restoration of the road during such situations.
She said fruit growers and traders had already suffered massive losses and that there was still no assurance of how long the road would remain open for the movement of heavy trucks.
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