JKPM expressed serious concerns on restrictions on civilian traffic movement on account of Amarnath Yatra:

JKPM expressed serious concerns on restrictions on civilian traffic movement on account of Amarnath Yatra:

 

JKPM Vice President Syed Iqbal Tahir has expressed serious concerns on the unprecedented restrictions on civilian traffic movement on Srinangar-Jammu National Highway and on KP Road Anantnag on account of Amarnath Yatra convoys. In an unprecedented move to facilitate the smooth movement of Amarnath Yatra convoys, Government has restricted the civilian traffic movement on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) to 3 hours till the Yatra is over.Traffic police has issued an order in which it has said that there would be no movement of any kind of vehicle on the NH-44 between Qazigund to Nashri except those transporting pilgrims till the Yatra is over. Restrictions on civilian traffic movement have also been imposed on KP Road Ananatnag. The order has restricted the movement of civilian vehicles and trucks during the day, which will be allowed in the evenings only.

"The move will lead to major disruptions on NH-44 which is called as life line for Kashmir valley.This has led to traffic jams in  various parts of the area inclduing Qazigund, Anantnag, Bijbehara and lot of inconvenience to the general masses. These restrictions apart from severe inconvenience to the general public, will also causes looses to the business community which was already under stress. Besides the restrictions on civilain traffic on KP Raod Ananatnag has brough the whole town & its people, students, buiness community to a standstill as it is a very citical road of the city" Iqbal Tahir said is his statement to the press.

Iqbal Tahir remidned the administration that the decades-old pilgrimage continues to showcase communal harmony and brotherhood on ground. " Scores of Kashmiri Muslims form a huge chunk of service providers here who facilitate the annual pilgrimage every year. Thousands of Kashmiris have this year again joined the yatra, offering  their services as workers, pony-wallas and palanquin-bearers, thus helping aged or ailing pilgrims in climbing the difficult mountainous trek of Baltal up to the Amarnath cave. Many locals risk their lives and brave difficult treks, torrential rains, hot or humid weather conditions all along the yatra route to ensure a safe and comfortable journey of the pilgrims. He reminded the authorities that whenever any untoward incident has happened during the yatra, locals have provided a huge helping hand to the yatris.

 

Iqbal Tahir has appealed to the Governor Satya Pal Malik to immediately remove the restrictions on the civlian traffic movement. This he said will reflect the real spirit of Amarnath Yatra.