SRINAGAR: Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said on Thursday that Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in Parliament and raised a range of infrastructure and public welfare issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Un Nabi, Rashid urged Gadkari to establish a dedicated Green Corridor for fruit-laden trucks on National Highway-44 during the ongoing harvesting season, citing repeated traffic disruptions at Qazigund, Banihal and other regulated stretches.
Rashid told the Minister that horticulture sustains nearly seven lakh families in Jammu and Kashmir and that delays in transporting perishable produce lead to deterioration in fruit quality, lower market prices and higher transportation costs. He sought coordinated arrangements involving the NHAI, Traffic Police, civil administration and Horticulture Department to ensure uninterrupted movement of fruit trucks.
The MP also raised the proposed alignment of NH-701A from Magam through Beerwah, Arizal and Doodhpathri, seeking retention and upgradation of the existing BRO-maintained alignment instead of a new bypass. He argued that upgrading the existing route would minimise land acquisition, displacement and project costs while protecting agricultural land and orchards.
Rashid also sought expedited development and upgradation of the eight-kilometre Paharthan-Kralnewah Crossing road via Chotribaal.
Un Nabi said Gadkari gave a patient hearing and assured Rashid that the issues would be examined on priority. The Minister also informed him that the concerned R and B Department was preparing Detailed Project Reports for the proposed Lolab-Bandipora and Lolab-Sopore roads.
The AIP said it would continue raising issues concerning farmers, connectivity and public welfare through institutional and democratic platforms.
