Development deficit
We are right going through the peak summer season. During this season the Jammu-Srinagar national highway used to remain open 24×7 and the supplies and movement of passenger traffic was used to move unhindered.
This used to be the time when all the supplies to Kashmir valley and Ladakh used to get replenished as the road used to be in good condition. However, the national highway and its maintenance has raised several questions over the past several years now as even during the peak summer season the highway witnesses closure thereby affecting the supplies, movement of traffic and trade.
It is fifth day running that the highway has been closed for all sorts of traffic movement and the condition of the road is getting worse with every passing day. Meaning, that the travel woes are far from over for the people here.
Ironically, all this is happening when Jammu and Kashmir is being portrayed as a new development model in the entire country. Not even a single day passes when the local administration and the union government too issues statements claiming that JK is witnessing a change for the good.
The Jammu-Srinagar highway has been troubling everybody from the past many years now. From an average commuter to a common man in the region everybody has been hit badly by the prolonged closure of the highway.
Closure of the Jammu-Srinagar Highway is becoming a new normal now. The highway has been giving trouble to the commuters since long now. However, what is worrying is the callous attitude of the present administration in providing a plan B which could have eased the miseries the people face due to the closure of the road.
People have been narrating harrowing tales about the callous attitude of the government as no arrangements are made at the public sheds that have been erected at some places to cater to the needs of the people in crisis situations.
There are instances when drivers have complained that their vehicles alongwith the load and goods they are carrying are let stranded for weeks. The police and the authorities do not follow any pattern in allowing them safe passage along with normal passenger vehicles.
The drivers who get stuck with no resources have to mortgage the documents of their vehicles to secure a loan from shopkeepers so that they could survive the days when the road gets closed. This alarming situation should act as a wakeup call for the government.
But as of now nothing of this sort is happening as people have complained of the same old attitude on the part of the administration. Even though a new administration is manning all the affairs but the situation has hardly changed when it comes to the all important national highway.
Interestingly, the matters are headed for turning worse as the rainy season is all set to begin in the region and travelling on the highway will be more harrowing and problematic.
