SRINAGAR : Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Elections, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Thursday directed authorities to expedite restoration of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) and ensure unhindered movement of fruit-laden trucks following heavy rainfall and landslides that disrupted traffic in Ramban and adjoining areas.
Accompanied by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, the minister inspected the landslide-hit Samroli-Udhampur stretch of NH-44 to assess restoration work and traffic management after incessant rain triggered landslides and shooting stones along the highway.
During the visit, Dar reviewed ongoing road clearance operations and instructed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and other agencies to restore affected stretches on a war footing. He directed officials to deploy adequate manpower, machinery and resources at vulnerable locations to minimise traffic disruptions and ensure commuter safety.
At a review meeting in Ramban, the minister stressed close coordination among the district administration, police, traffic police, NHAI, Public Works Department and other stakeholders for effective management of the situation and prompt response to emergencies.
Highlighting the ongoing peak horticulture season, Dar said the movement of fruit-laden trucks should receive top priority to prevent losses to growers. He directed the Traffic Police and enforcement agencies to facilitate the smooth passage of fruit consignments, particularly through vulnerable and congestion-prone stretches of NH-44, while ensuring road safety.
He also ordered the establishment of a round-the-clock monitoring mechanism along vulnerable sections of the highway for immediate response to fresh landslides, shooting stones and road blockages. Officials were asked to issue timely traffic advisories and real-time updates to transporters and fruit growers to help them plan the movement of produce.
The minister said restoring NH-44 and ensuring uninterrupted transportation of horticultural produce were equally important during the harvesting season, as delays could result in significant post-harvest losses and affect growers’ incomes.
Deputy Commissioner Ramban briefed the minister on restoration efforts and damage assessment of crops and other assets for relief and compensation under existing norms, while the Senior Superintendent of Police outlined traffic management measures and continuous monitoring of the highway.
Earlier in the day, Dar and Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani visited the Jabalipora Fruit Mandi in Anantnag to review arrangements for transportation and marketing of fruit.
Representatives of the Fruit Mandi Association urged the government to ensure uninterrupted movement of fruit vehicles on NH-44 and raised demands for improved infrastructure, including allotment of shops, a dedicated mandi corridor, construction of a mosque and better civic amenities.
Assuring growers and traders that their concerns would be addressed on priority, Dar said the government would work towards strengthening mandi infrastructure, improving logistics and creating a more efficient marketing environment for the horticulture sector.
