Srinagar, Sep 05: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has voiced serious concern over the continued closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which has remained blocked for more than a week, paralysing trade and essential supplies to the Valley.
The Chamber said that the highway blockade, caused by landslides and adverse weather conditions, has left trucks carrying fruits, livestock, vegetables, groceries, and other supplies stranded. The disruption, it added, has triggered shortages and a steep rise in the prices of food items and daily-use goods across Kashmir.
KCCI noted that the lack of a contingency plan to keep supplies moving during such closures has worsened the crisis and once again underscored the Valley’s dependence on a single road link for survival. “Multiple sectors are facing crippling losses. The horticulture sector is the hardest hit, with fruit-laden trucks stuck for days. Supplies of perishable items such as vegetables, dairy, poultry, and livestock have been severely affected,” the Chamber said.
Highlighting the deepening crisis, the Chamber urged the administration, including the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister, to allow heavy vehicle movement on the Mughal Road until the Srinagar-Jammu Highway is restored. It said that putting the Mughal Road into service as an alternative route was vital to prevent further economic and social distress.
The Chamber also appealed to traders, wholesalers, and retailers to show restraint by keeping prices of essentials stable. It warned against profiteering in this difficult period and stressed the need for collective responsibility to safeguard consumers from added hardship.
Calling for a long-term strategy, KCCI reiterated that repeated closures of the highway due to weather and landslides demand a well-structured contingency plan to secure uninterrupted supplies and protect the Valley’s economy. It said the government must take urgent and decisive steps to restore normalcy, ensure smooth movement of goods, and establish lasting alternatives to prevent such recurrent crises.
