SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has expressed serious concerns over the government’s lack of preparedness in responding to the recent snowfall, which has severely disrupted daily life across various districts of the Kashmir valley. The Chamber noted with dismay that, despite the forecast of significant snowfall beginning Friday, major roads were left unattended, and there was minimal deployment of personnel and snow-clearing machinery by district authorities, municipalities, and local bodies.
Reports of passengers being stranded along the Jammu-Srinagar Highway have added to the distress. Tourists en route to popular destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and Dodhpathri found themselves trapped due to the heavy snowfall. While many stranded tourists were rescued, the situation became so dire that locals in Gund Kangan opened their homes to provide shelter, while others sought refuge in community centres. Many people, including hoteliers, went out of their way to help, offering complimentary stays and shelter in masjids and homes. This outpouring of hospitality reflects the compassionate spirit of Kashmir but also raises questions about the region’s winter preparedness.
The Chamber pointed out that, given Kashmir’s regular winter snowfall, the administration should have a “Quick Response” mechanism in place to mitigate the consequences of such weather events. The lack of timely snow clearance and power outages have further compounded the challenges, especially in areas with snow-covered roads and streets. The KCCI emphasized the urgent need for the restoration of power across the valley, stressing that the impact on vulnerable groups, including the sick, elderly, children, students, and businesses, is significant.
Of particular concern is the severe impact on Kashmir’s tourism sector. Stranded tourists and disrupted travel have harmed the region’s reputation as a premier winter tourist destination. The Chamber reminded that the government and other stakeholders have made substantial efforts to promote tourism to Kashmir, making it all the more crucial to address the situation swiftly.
The KCCI strongly urged the government to take immediate action to restore normal services and deploy personnel and machinery effectively during snowfall. The Chamber also called for a more robust winter preparedness strategy and rapid response mechanisms to manage weather-related challenges that are common during Kashmir’s winter months.
While the KCCI commended the people of Kashmir, the travel and hospitality sectors, and those departmental personnel who worked tirelessly to assist the stranded, it emphasized the need for urgent action. It demanded that the Srinagar-Jammu Highway, along with urban and rural roads, streets, footpaths, and lanes, be cleared at the earliest to prevent further disruption.
