Srinagar, August 04 (KNS): Amid bad weather and road blockades, hundreds of nursing aspirants from the Kashmir Valley scheduled to appear for the Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET-9) on September 14 are urging authorities to set up an examination center in the Valley.

Reports reaching Kashmir News Service (KNS) said hundreds of aspirants from Kashmir appearing for AIIMS NORCET-9 have to travel outside the Valley due to the absence of an exam center in Kashmir.

Candidates said the lack of a center in Kashmir will prevent many from appearing for the exam. The nearest centers are in Jammu, Punjab, Amritsar, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi.

Ongoing floods and landslides have left the Jammu-Srinagar highway and other routes blocked, leaving aspirants uncertain about their plans.

"The absence of an exam center in Kashmir makes it nearly impossible for me to appear for NORCET.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe nearest center is 350 km away in Jammu, and floods and blocked roads make travel unsafe. This puts my attempt at serious risk despite my preparation," Azhar Maqsood, an aspirant from North Kashmir, said.

"I request at least one NORCET center in Kashmir or alternate arrangements like rescheduling for affected candidates, considering the current flood situation."

Another aspirant said that the floods and damaged roads make it nearly impossible for many like him to travel outside the state for NORCET. "Air travel is unaffordable, and road travel is unsafe. I request an exam center in Kashmir or alternative arrangements so students here do not miss their chance," he said.

The aspirants have appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene to ensure no aspirant misses the exam.(KNS)