Let Army takeover post-flood restoration work: MLA Shabir Kullay

Srinagar, Sep 17: Shopian MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay has accused the civil administration of failing to deliver during crises such as the ongoing closure of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, suggesting that rehabilitation work should be handed over to the Army.

The legislator said that the interests of the people would be better served if the Army directly managed affairs, as it functions without political considerations.

“The Army installed a bridge in Jammu’s Tawi river within 12 hours. When there is desire to do anything, nothing is impossible. If you want to run Kashmir, handover Kashmir to the Army because there will be no politics,” Kullay as per Kashmir News Trust told reporters. Kullay said the continuing hardship faced by farmers, traders, and ordinary commuters highlighted the administration’s lack of urgency. “People are suffering, businesses are collapsing, and yet there is no accountability. “The contrast is clear when we see how the Army gets things done in hours while our officials keep blaming circumstances,” he added.

Notably, the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, the Valley’s only all-weather road link to the rest of the country, has been repeatedly closed due to landslides and shooting stones triggered by inclement weather. The prolonged disruptions have left fruit-laden trucks stranded for days, leading to huge losses for orchardists and traders. Shortages of essentials have also been reported, adding to public anger.