Kashmir remains cut off leading shortage of eatables in the valley

Srinagar, Mar 16 (UNI) The life line to Kashmir-300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway--remained closed for the sixth consecutive day today, leading to an actue shortage of essential commodities, including vegetabels, fruits and other items in the valley.

The valley remained cut off from the rest of the country following the closure of the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway due to landslides and shooting stones.

A number of buses of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) with passengers, stranded at Jammu since March 10, were allowed to leave for Penthal, the most troubled spot on the highway, which is the only road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country.

Official sources said these passengers will cross Penthal on foot to board vehicles on the other side for Srinagar.

This was the only alternative available to help the stranded passengers to reach Srinagar, a senior traffic police officer told UNI, adding similarly those who had come from Srinagar and crossed Penthal on foot were provided vehicles for Jammu.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the highway, has pressed into service hundreds of labourers and machines to clear the landslides and repair the damaged portion of the road strip at Penthal.

About 5000 to 7000 passengers are stranded at Jammu, the sources added.

About a thousand vehicles, including trucks loaded with essential commodities are stranded on the highway after it was closed for traffic due to landslides triggered by heavy rains There was about two to three feet of snow accumulated on the highway between Qazigund to Banihal.

The closure of the highway has resulted in shortage of almost all the essential commodities, including vegetables, meat, milk, fruits, chicken and other items being imported from different parts of Jammu and other states.

The prices of local vegetables has also increased many fold with no checking from the divisional administration.

UNI