Srinagar, Nov 04 (KNS): Commercial hub Lal Chowk remained abuzz on Monday throughout the day after a spell of 92 days. Most of the shops and other business establishments remained open during the day and vendors erected stalls at different places in Srinagar. However, as compare to couple of weeks, roads were packed with private vehicles. Also public traffic also start operating on different routes after three months over. Besides unmoving of trains on Banihal to Baramullah track, authorities are yet tight lipped over the resumption of prepaid mobile services and internet facility.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), life across Kashmir Valley start operating on Monday after a gap of 92 days with most of the shops and business establishments lies in commercial hub Lal Chowk and adjoining areas remained open throughout the day. Reports said that areas like Lal Chowk, Hari Singh High Street, Maharaja Bazar, Goni Khan, Lal Ded, Jehangir Chowk, Residency Road, M A Road, Dalgate, Gow Kadal, Maisuma and other adjoining places remained open where shopkeepers start operating normally. Eye witnesses said that on Monday, there was like pre-August 5 situation and people were thronged to buy essential commodities at shops and vendors. They added as compare to couple of weeks, private traffic witnesses a huge flow which resulted long queues of traffic jams were witnessed at several places.
As per reports, in Southern parts of Kulgam, Anantnag, Shopian and Pulwama, most of the places remained open throughout the day and traffic including sumo’s and auto rickshaws were plying throughout the day to ferry passengers from one place to another. Similarly in Northern parts of Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramullah, situation remained peaceful with majority of the shops and business units remained open. Private traffic was also plying on interior and exterior roads throughout the day.
It is pertinent to mention that central government on August 5, took away the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and divided it into two Union Territories (UT’s) – Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Since then Kashmir is witnessing uninterrupted shutdown against the move but from past couple of weeks, an increased movement of private transport was observed and markets have started working normally.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), prepaid mobile services and internet connectivity are yet to restore in Kashmir Valley despite passing of 92 days. Authorities are yet tight lipped over resumption of prepaid mobile service and internet facility in Kashmir which affected the trade and career of business community and students respectively. Moreover rail service across Kashmir Valley remained suspended on 92nd straight day. (KNS)