Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Elections, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Thursday directed authorities to expedite restoration of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) and ensure the smooth movement of fruit-laden trucks following heavy rainfall and landslides that disrupted traffic in Ramban and adjoining areas.
Accompanied by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, the minister inspected the landslide-affected Samroli-Udhampur stretch of NH-44 to assess restoration work and review traffic management measures after incessant rainfall triggered landslides and shooting stones along the highway.
During the visit, Dar reviewed ongoing road clearance operations and instructed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and other executing agencies to restore the affected stretches on a war footing. He directed officials to deploy adequate manpower, machinery and resources at vulnerable locations to minimise traffic disruptions and ensure the safety of commuters.
Chairing a review meeting in Ramban, the minister stressed the need for close coordination among the district administration, police, traffic police, NHAI, the Public Works Department and other stakeholders to ensure effective traffic management and a swift response to emergencies.
Highlighting the ongoing peak horticulture season, Dar said the movement of fruit-laden trucks must receive top priority to prevent financial losses to apple growers and other fruit producers. He directed the Traffic Police and enforcement agencies to facilitate the uninterrupted movement of fruit consignments, particularly through congestion-prone and vulnerable stretches of NH-44, while maintaining road safety.
The minister also ordered the establishment of a round-the-clock monitoring mechanism along vulnerable sections of the highway to ensure immediate response to fresh landslides, shooting stones and road blockages. He instructed officials to issue timely traffic advisories and real-time updates to transporters and fruit growers to help them plan the movement of produce efficiently.
Dar said restoring NH-44 and ensuring uninterrupted transportation of horticultural produce were critical during the harvesting season, warning that prolonged delays could result in significant post-harvest losses and adversely affect growers’ incomes.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner Ramban briefed the minister on restoration efforts and the assessment of damage to crops and public assets for relief and compensation under existing norms. The Senior Superintendent of Police outlined traffic management measures and continuous monitoring of highway conditions.
Earlier in the day, Dar and Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani visited the Jabalipora Fruit Mandi in Anantnag to review arrangements for the transportation and marketing of horticultural produce.
Representatives of the Fruit Mandi Association urged the government to ensure uninterrupted movement of fruit vehicles on NH-44 and sought improved infrastructure at the mandi, including allotment of shops, a dedicated mandi corridor, construction of a mosque and better civic amenities.
Assuring growers and traders that their concerns would be addressed on priority, Dar said the government was committed to strengthening mandi infrastructure, improving logistics and creating a more efficient marketing ecosystem for Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture sector.
