Restore lifelines

The recent closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, coupled with the suspension of operations at Srinagar International Airport, has plunged the Kashmir Valley into a state of acute isolation. As the region finds itself cut off from the rest of the country by both land and air, the consequences for its people have been severe — economically, emotionally, and logistically. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway is not merely a road; it is the artery that pumps essential supplies, medical aid, and economic lifelines into the Valley. With the airport grounded, the highway’s closure due to landslides, snowfall, or mismanagement has effectively brought normal life to a standstill. Prices of essential commodities are surging, medical patients are unable to travel for treatment, and students and workers remain stranded on either side. The disruption has not only strained daily life but has further deepened the psychological sense of isolation already felt in the region. In light of this crisis, the onus is on the government and concerned authorities to act with urgency and responsibility. Immediate measures must be taken to restore traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. Engineering teams and road-clearing agencies should be deployed round-the-clock, and a coordinated command structure must ensure that there are no bureaucratic delays in restoring this vital route. Simultaneously, temporary air connectivity solutions, such as chartered flights or helicopter services, should be explored for emergencies until the airport resumes normal function. Furthermore, this crisis underscores the need for long-term infrastructural resilience. The completion and expansion of strategic routes like the Mughal Road, Zojila Tunnel, and Baramulla rail link must become national priorities, not just regional afterthoughts. It is a matter of rights and dignity for the people of Kashmir. Connectivity is a basic necessity in today’s India, not a luxury to be debated seasonally.