Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday expressed strong displeasure over the prolonged closure of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, stressing that the Centre has failed to ensure its restoration.
Speaking to media persons CM Omar as per JKNS said, “The highway falls under the domain of the central government, and if they can’t handle this then let them hand it over to us.”
“We wait patiently, but if it were under my control, I would have reopened it with a team of engineers,” Abdullah said.
He said repeated assurances of reopening had yielded nothing, forcing him to write to and seek a meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
CM Omar said that he was prepared to take full responsibility for the restoration if the project was handed over to the J&K administration.
At the same time, the Chief Minister urged Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to establish a full-fledged cargo trade facility, citing the immense difficulties faced by fruit growers.
“The single train service flagged off ceremonially is not enough to handle the huge volume of fruit consignments. Continued service is crucial until the highway reopens,” Omar stressed. (JKNS)
