Biz losses mount as air, road traffic remains suspended

M Aamir Khan

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 13

The suspension of air and road traffic to the Kashmir valley has added to the losses of the business community which is already suffering after the abrogation of Article 370.

While not a single flight landed or took off from the Srinagar airport during the past one week, the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway has made life all the more miserable for traders.

“We were already struggling to revive our businesses and grappling with so many problems like low sales and lack of Internet. Now, suspension of air traffic has paralysed us. We have never witnessed suspension of air traffic for an entire week. To make matters worse, the national highway is shut very often or remains open for one-way traffic only. Businessmen wishing to travel outside or come back here are stranded and goods are also stuck. How can business thrive when Kashmir remains cut off like this?” asked Kashmir Economy Alliance vice-chairman Aijaz Shahdhar.

As per the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries’ preliminary estimates, Valley’s economy has been dented by Rs 15,000 crore since August 5 when the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370 threw normal life out of gear. A half-day shutdown still remains in place in several parts as normal business activities are yet to resume in the Valley.

Abdul Rauf, general secretary of the Magarmal Bagh Traders’ Federation, regretted that no concrete steps were being taken to improve air and road connectivity to the Valley.

“We hear big talks of development but the ground situation is the opposite. Many other parts of the globe witness worse weather conditions but where do flights get grounded for a week altogether? And the condition of Srinagar-Jammu highway only gets worse with each passing year. How will businesses flourish in such circumstances when people and goods get stranded for days?” he asked.