Disruptive Highway
Tragic mishap on Srinagar-Jammu highway in Ramban sector on Sunday has shown that there is no proper planning to keep this only surface link between Kashmir and rest of the country open.
The initial investigation has proved that it was the callous behavior of local contractor who tried to complete his work of excavation despite rains triggering landslides in the sector in which two workers were killed and dozens other were washed away resulting in injuries to them. Few laborers were untraceable but it is not the first incident of this kind in this stretch of Srinagar-Jammu highway.
In the past three years Srinagar-Jammu highway remained disrupted for weeks together due to the landslides triggered by rains in different sectors of Jammu region.
Authorities have been claiming that very soon this highway would be set right but even after three years, landslides, mudslides and disruption of traffic is routine.
Hundreds of trucks laden with essential items remain stranded on this highway due to these disruptions resulting in huge losses to traders and other suppliers.
There is another factor, traffic mismanagement on highway and the truckers have been complaining that they are forced to park their vehicles on highway for days without any reason.
Traffic regulation on highway is one of the problems being faced by all those suppliers and transporters who ply on this road. It is high time that JK administration focuses on the smooth traffic regulation and also keep an eye on private construction companies to do their four lane work in accordance with the guidelines set up by the government.
