The fresh snowfall that continued for three straight days till February 20, has yet again pushed the general public in Kashmir to the wall as the only road connecting the valley with rest of the states remained closed for vehicular movement for nearly four days now, causing huge inconvenience to the people. Such a closure comes at a time when the government has passed strict directions to the authorities concerned to ensure that the road, if blocked , is thrown open for vehicular movement within 7 hours only. However, the situation here is quite contrary as the condition is worsening whenever it rains or snows as the shooting stones and landslides continue to force the closure of road frequently, thereby creating a barrier between the Valley and rest of the states. The traders as well as the students usually travel through the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway frequently, but such closures are leaving them to lurch at large. Such an issue continues to push the people of Kashmir to the wall during the inclement weather conditions, but there has been no solution to it so far, thereby leaving the people to suffer. This closure has many times caused huge losses to the trade community here as well as the academic losses to the students as well. The issue needs to be resolved once for all so that the Valleyties are not disconnected with the rest of India during inclement weather conditions and the traders as well as the students would not face any inconvenience in the future.
Water security a permanent priority
Amidst the intense heatwave, a parallel crisis of water scarcity has once again gripped the Valley, leaving thousands of households...