Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Apr 21: Amid long queues at petrol pumps and growing public anxiety due to the continued closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, V K Bidhuri on Monday reassured residents that there is no shortage of essential supplies in the Valley, including fuel, LPG, and food grains.
“All essentials are adequately stocked. There is no need to panic or resort to hoarding,” Bidhuri said while addressing reporters in Srinagar.
“There is enough buffer stock of food grains for over a year. LPG supplies are also well in place with 17 days’ worth of reserves already in stock,” he said.
Regarding the fuel situation, the Divisional Commissioner said that Kashmir consumes around 1,000 kilolitres of diesel per day and currently has 12,500 kilolitres available, which is sufficient for 12 to 13 days.
He added that the Valley consumes approximately 625 kilolitres of petrol per day and at present nearly 10,000 kilolitres are in stock.
“There is no need to line up at fuel stations or hoard supplies. The situation is fully under control,” Bidhuri said, urging people to remain calm and not spread unnecessary fear.
A petrol pump operator at Sanat Nagar, speaking to KNO, echoed similar sentiments. “There is no shortage at our station, or any other nearby stations. We are receiving supplies as usual, and the public should avoid panic buying, which creates artificial scarcity,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) will remain closed for vehicular movement on Tuesday (April 22) as restoration work could not be completed, Traffic Police Headquarters said in its latest advisory.
“People are advised not to undertake journeys on Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44) until restoration work is completed and the surface is traffic-worthy,” the advisory said.
Other key road updates include Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244), closed due to fresh snowfall. Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari (SSG) Road, only one-way traffic for LMVs with anti-skid chains, followed by HMVs (only six-tyre vehicles), will be allowed from Kargil to Srinagar, subject to weather and clearance. Vehicles will be allowed from Minamarg until 1:30 PM.
Also, on Mughal Road, passenger vehicles will be allowed from both sides—Jammu to Srinagar and vice versa—via Poonch, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, subject to road and weather conditions, and the cut-off timings for vehicles on various routes and advisory numbers for confirmation have been issued. Commuters are advised to check with traffic control units before planning travel.
In the meanwhile, an official handout sais, Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Monday said that there is an adequate stock of essential commodities including LPG, Diesel & Petrol available across the Valley.
“Significant efforts are underway to repair and restore the National Highway to facilitate the movement of vehicles. Bidhuri maintained that restoration work is expected to be completed within four or five days while one-way Light Motor Vehicles are allowed to ply on Mughal Road,” reads the statement.
The statement also reads, Div Com made these remarks while chairing a meeting of officers to evaluate the availability of essential supplies in the region and to assess damage incurred by orchardists.
“Addressing the meeting, he underscored that there is enough fuel stock to last for over 12 days and urged citizens to refrain from causing unnecessary panic or queuing at petrol stations,” the statement reads, adding the LPG stock is sufficiently available for 17 days, while the 10,000 Kilolitres of petrol will suffice the requirement for 16 days and similarly 12,500 Kilolitres of diesel are available in the Valley.
“To address profiteering by some traders, the Div Com instructed Deputy Commissioners to constitute joint teams to conduct thorough market inspections, while Superintendents of Police were asked to deploy personnel at petrol stations to discourage queuing by people. Regarding damage to apple orchards from severe weather conditions, Bidhuri directed Deputy Commissioners to constitute joint teams to assess the extent of the damage caused by heavy rains, strong winds, and hailstorms, and to submit their findings promptly,” reads the statement.
Additionally, it reads, concerning the evacuation of stranded tourists, the Div Com instructed the SSP Traffic Rural and the DC of Shopian to prioritize the movement of tourist vehicles via the Mughal Road. The meeting was attended by Commissioner SMC; Deputy Commissioners, SSPs, Directors of IMD, Health, Tourism, FCS&CA, VC LCMA, ULB, officers of various departments including Agriculture, Horticulture, School Education, Traffic, Transport, KPDCL, I&FC, PHE, PWD etc. (KNO)
