By Ovais Gull
Srinagar: Kashmiri Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCC&I) on Monday said thatdeteriorating condition of Srinagar-Jammu highway as well as the skyrocketing airfare would certainly affect the Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that State Administration must take proper steps to ensure smooth passage of Pilgrims.
Talking to INS, Sheikh Ashiq President of KCC&I said that from last one, the State administrating has been claiming to have taken steps for the smooth passage of pilgrims but at the same time the prevalent condition of highway and skyrocketing airfare would affect the pilgrimage.
“The condition of highway will get more worsen but the State administration has failed to repair the deteriorated road. The patch that got damaged during winters is yet to be repaired. The admin must see whether the highway was ready for the smooth passage to the Yatris and airfare will be affordable,” Ashiq said.
He added that the administration should make additional flights available; adding that they recently met Air India officials who claimed to have applied for evening flight but said there was no response from the administration so far.
To ensure smooth conduct of Amarnath yatra is a challenge to the state administration, he said, adding that the administration should ease out air connectivity and KCC&I will also support where ever needed.
He said that during the period of Amarnath yatra, the connectivity of local people including businessmen, students and patients will also get affected. “People of Kashmir have been welcoming the yatries always but the lack of infrastructure, road connectivity would affect their pilgrimage, therefore State administration need to speed up the work in this regard,” he said.
