Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 1: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Mehbooba Mufti, today demanded immediate reopening of Bijbehara-Langanbal-Pahalgam route and tourist attractions in Pahalgam, warning that prolonged closures are severely affecting local livelihoods.
Speaking to reporters here, Mufti said the closure of Bijbehara-Langanbal-Pahalgam route, a stretch lined with tourist resorts, had led to job losses. “People who have invested large sums in building resorts are suffering,” she said, urging authorities to reopen the route even if security arrangements are required.
She added that several prominent tourist sites, including Chandanwari and Baisaran, remain shut, along with local parks such as the Deer Park. She said the closures are discouraging visitors, many of whom return disappointed without exploring the area fully.
Mufti appealed Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, to review the restrictions, arguing that isolated security incidents should not lead to blanket shutdowns across Kashmir. “The poor people dependent on tourism are bearing the brunt,” she said.
The PDP Chief also highlighted a range of local grievances. She pointed to shortages of fuel and cooking gas, claiming orchard owners were unable to access petrol needed for spraying crops. She also raised concerns about policing of minor mining-related activities, saying small vehicle operators face fines that badly impact poorer residents.
Mufti said that around 100,000 Private school teachers in Kashmir alone, with many more in Jammu, earn between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000 per month, well below minimum wage standards of roughly Rs. 600-700 per day. Click here to watch video
She said her party would raise the issue in the next legislative session and consider introducing a bill to improve conditions, including increasing salaries to around Rs. 20,000 per month and ensuring access to provident funds. “Private schools contribute significantly to education, but their teachers are underpaid,” she said.
Mufti further reiterated concerns about contractual workers, including those under the National Health Mission and other departments such as PHE, Irrigation, Roads and Buildings, Estates, Health, and Rural Development. She said many had worked for 20 to 25 years without being regularised and were now approaching retirement. “If they are not regularised now, when will they be?” she asked, urging the government to act swiftly to provide job security.
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