Hasnain Masoodi demands all weather connectivity on Jammu- Srinagar highway
Says tunnel along Banihal-Ramban road stretch will help save precious lives
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader and Member of Parliament Anantnag Hasnain Masoodi has expressed concern over the frequent blockage and accidents on the Srinagar –Jammu national highway.
Speaking in the parliament on Saturday, Masoodi urged the government of India to upgrade the road stretch connecting Srinagar to Jammu on war footing.
He said that the 294km road link between Srinagar and Jammu had turned into a deadly death trap for the commuters.
Masoodi said the particular stretch between Ramban and Banihal was worst hit.
“The upgradation of Srinagar –Jammu national highway does not make any sense unless the stretch of road between Ramban and Banihal is provided with a tunnel,” he said.
The deforestation and the “excessive blasting of the area”, he said, had made the soil in the hilly terrain very susceptible to landslides.
“No sooner the area receives precipitation the stretch of road in the area gets blocked either due to shooting stones or massive landslides, often resulting in human casualties. The need of the hour calls for having a tunnel in the area. A tunnel in the area besides providing all weather connectivity will help save many precious lives,” he said
Masoodi said it was highly “unfortunate that even after seven decades of state’s accession with the union, it is yet to have an all-weather connectivity with the rest of country.
Masoodi said that the sporadic landslide and mud slides on the stretch also affect the economic activity in the land locked valley.
“Particularly during the winter months, the intermittent blockages on the route create scarcity of essential items in the valley. Today we refer to the world as global village, but here we live in a place that is yet to have an all weather route”.
He said the frequent blockages on the stretch add to the mounting woes of students, traders and patients who often fail to reach their destinations in the other parts of country.
“In addition to that the sporadic impasse on the route affects the tourists’ inflow to the valley. I urge the concerned ministry to redress the issue as soon as possible,” he said.
