Srinagar, August 7: Baramulla Member of Parliament Er. Rashid has urged the Union Government to establish a dedicated Green Corridor for fruit-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway during the ongoing harvesting season, saying repeated traffic disruptions are inflicting heavy losses on Kashmir’s horticulture sector.
According to the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), Er. Rashid raised the issue during a meeting with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in Parliament, stressing that delays in the movement of apple consignments were affecting nearly seven lakh families dependent on horticulture for their livelihood.
He sought priority passage for trucks carrying perishable produce and proposed a coordinated mechanism involving the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Traffic Police, civil administration and the Horticulture Department to ensure uninterrupted movement during the harvesting season.
The Baramulla MP also opposed the proposed new alignment of the Magam-Beerwah-Arizal-Doodhpathri (NH-701A) highway, advocating instead for the upgradation of the existing Border Roads Organisation (BRO)-maintained route. He argued that retaining the present alignment would minimise land acquisition, reduce project costs and protect agricultural land and orchards while improving connectivity to Beerwah, Doodhpathri and Yousmarg.
During the meeting, Er. Rashid also pressed for the early upgradation of the eight-kilometre road connecting Paharthan and Kralnewah Crossing via Chotribaal, describing it as a long-pending demand of the local population.
According to the AIP, the Union Minister assured the MP that the issues would be examined on priority. The party further said Gadkari informed Er. Rashid that the R&B Department is presently preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the proposed Lolab-Bandipora and Lolab-Sopore road projects. [KNT]
