Srinagar, Sept 15 (KNS) : President of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and former Minister, Hakeem Mohammed Yaseen, on Monday strongly urged the Union Territory government and the Centre to take urgent and serious measures for the immediate restoration of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, calling it the "lifeline" of Kashmir.

In a statement issued , Yaseen expressed deep concern over the prolonged highway closure, which he said has added to the suffering of the people of the Valley already reeling under floods and incessant rains.

“The Jammu-Srinagar highway is the only all-weather surface link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country. Its closure has not only disrupted passenger movement but has also caused immense hardship to traders, fruit growers, and truckers,” Yaseen said.

He added that the continued highway crisis has placed an unbearable burden on transporters and the economy of the Valley.

“Thousands of vehicles, including trucks carrying perishable fruit consignments, remain stranded for days together. The government must provide immediate relief and alternative arrangements for them, either by facilitating railway parcel services or by opening up and streamlining the Mughal Road,” Yaseen said.

Citing reports from Udhampur, Yaseen pointed out that a *300-metre-long narrow and uneven stretch between Tharad and Balli Nallah has virtually brought the highway to a standstill.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

“Against a daily average of around 10,000 vehicles, barely 700 to 1,000 vehicles are managing to pass through the bottleneck. This daily backlog of thousands of vehicles is unacceptable and needs urgent intervention,” he stressed.

He criticised the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for what he termed “gross negligence” in road maintenance and development.

“NHAI must widen the damaged stretch immediately and ensure the road surface is properly levelled so that vehicles do not get trapped in the mud. The present condition is disgraceful and reflects poorly on those entrusted with maintaining this vital national highway,” Yaseen said.

He appealed to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to personally intervene and direct NHAI to undertake urgent and permanent restoration measures.

“The Jammu-Srinagar highway is the artery that sustains our economy, especially at this time of the year when Kashmir’s fruit season is at its peak. Any disruption directly threatens the livelihood of thousands of families. The highway is not just a road, it is Kashmir’s lifeline, and its restoration must be the government’s top priority,” Yaseen added.(KNS)