Malik apologises for NH ban

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, May 22

A day after announcing complete lifting of traffic restrictions on the Jammu- Srinagar national highway, Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday apologised to the people of the state for the inconvenience caused to them due to the ban.

“The way people cooperated, I want to thank them and for the inconvenience caused... I want to apologise,” Malik told reporters after inaugurating the second phase of the Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover.

In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, the government had imposed restrictions on the civilian traffic movement on the national highway from April 7 twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays between 4 am and 5 pm.

The ban had evoked widespread resentment across the state, especially in the Valley, and the order was also challenged in the court.

Since April 22, the restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla was limited to Sundays only and the ban was completely lifted on May 2. Restrictions on the Srinagar-Udhampur stretch were limited to just one day from May 13.

Meanwhile, the Governor said the decision to hold the Assembly elections in the state would be taken by the Election Commission of India. “We want this (President’s rule) to end as soon as possible. The final call on holding the Assembly elections in the state will be taken by the EC,” he added.

When asked about reports that ‘some officials within his administration were not keen on transfer of power to an elected government’, Malik said the issue had not come to his notice.

Inaugurates phase-II of Rambagh flyover 

Srinagar: Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday inaugurated the second phase of the Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover.  The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, was also present on the occasion. The 1.04-km stretch from Rambagh to Alochi Bagh has been constructed at a cost of Rs 37.5 crore. It is expected to provide relief to commuters travelling from areas such as Srinagar international airport, Baghat, Budgam, Rawalpora and Sanatnagar towards Lal Chowk. Officials said the stretch would also reduce the travel time between the areas from 15 minutes to a minute. Meanwhile, the third and final portion of the flyover towards Jehangir Chowk is still under construction and is expected to be thrown open soon. The stretch is expected to prove as a major traffic decongestant on grade roads underneath it, including Rambagh, Solina and Alochi Bagh. TNS