Srinagar, August 7:
Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi today said that Member of Parliament from Baramulla, Er. Rashid called on Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari in his chamber at Parliament and raised several key infrastructure and public welfare issues concerning Jammu & Kashmir.
Inam Un Nabi said that MP Er. Rashid strongly urged the Union Minister to establish a dedicated Green Corridor for fruit-laden trucks on National Highway-44 during the ongoing harvesting season. He highlighted that repeated traffic disruptions at Qazigund, Banihal upto Udhampur and other regulated stretches of NH-44 are causing heavy losses to fruit growers by delaying the transportation of highly perishable produce.
MP Er. Rashid informed the Minister that the horticulture sector is the backbone of Jammu & Kashmir’s economy, sustaining nearly seven lakh families and that delays in transportation result in deterioration of fruit quality, lower market prices and increased transportation costs.
He urged the Minister Nitin Gadhkari Ji to ensure priority movement of fruit trucks through a dedicated Green Corridor and establish an effective coordination mechanism involving the NHAI, Traffic Police, Civil Administration and the Horticulture Department for uninterrupted movement during the harvesting season.
The MP Er Rashid also raised the issue of the proposed alignment of NH-701A (Magam–Beerwah–Arizal–Doodhpathri Highway) and requested the Minister to retain and upgrade the existing BRO-maintained alignment instead of constructing a new bypass. He submitted that the existing alignment could be upgraded with minimal widening, reducing land acquisition, displacement and project costs while protecting fertile agricultural land and orchards. He said the proposal enjoys the support of local residents and would strengthen connectivity to Beerwah, Doodhpathri and Yousmarg.
MP Er. Rashid further requested the Union Minister to expedite the development and upgradation of the 8-kilometre road from Paharthan to Kralnewah Crossing via Chotribaal, stating that the project is vital for improving connectivity and meeting the long-pending transportation needs of the local population.
According to Inam Un Nabi, Shri Nitin Gadkari gave a patient hearing to all the issues raised by MP Er. Rashid and assured him that the Ministry would examine them sympathetically.
The AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said the party remains committed to raising issues concerning farmers, infrastructure, regional connectivity and public welfare through democratic and institutional means and will continue to pursue the genuine aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.