Operate more trains to ease fruit growers' woes: Mian Altaf

Ganderbal, Sep 16: National Conference Member of Parliament from Anantnag-Rajouri segment, Mian Altaf Ahmad on Tuesday said that Mughal Road should be treated as National Highway alternative for fruit and other essential commodities carrying trucks and impressed upon the government to prioritirize the development and maintenance of the crucial road.

“The Mughal Road stands as a crucial alternative to NH-44, and its improvement and development must be prioritized , a demand I have consistently raised. That needs repair and maintenance. This is the responsibility of the government, the police, the traffic department, and the entire administration,” he said.

He also said that if the Jammu-Srinagar-Jammu National Highway is not being repaired, adding that he believes it might be restored in a day or two, then traffic should be managed on the Mughal Road.

“Vehicles should be diverted there. For truck drivers there will be no major loss. Their journey may take three more hours, but they can go via the Mughal Road. There is no better solution, he said. The government has also made some arrangements with trains. At the same time, the parcel train’s carrying capacity should be expanded to effectively cater to the broader needs of growers,” Mian Altaf said. His demand is that train capacity should be increased and more trains should run, he added.

Earlier, the Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmad attended event organised by KVK Ganderbal at Naranag in Kangan. On the occasions Mian Altaf urged the farmers to avail the benefits of the government schemes and awareness programme. KVK Ganderbal held an Input Distribution Ceremony at Naranag Kangan on Tuesday , empowering tribal farmers with modern resources.

The event was graced by MP Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi, MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali dignitaries from SKUAST-K and a large gathering of farmers.