Traders express concern over lack of snow preparedness

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the region’s leading trade body, expressed deep concern on Saturday over the government’s lack of preparedness in responding to the recent snowfall in Kashmir. The KCCI statement highlighted the “dismay” over the minimal deployment of personnel and snow-clearing machinery by district authorities, municipalities and local bodies, despite forecasts of significant snowfall. It added that the reports of passengers stranded along the Jammu -Srinagar Highway was distressing.

“Tourists found themselves stranded en route to tourist destinations including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Dodhpathri. Many stranded tourists were rescued,” it said. The KCCI also commended local residents who opened their homes to the stranded tourists, but it raised concerns about the inadequate response to a snowfall that, though moderate, created significant difficulties for both locals and visitors.

In a region where snowfall is a regular winter occurrence, the KCCI stressed the need for quick and efficient responses. The chamber emphasised that the local administration’s preparedness should include immediate measures to address the challenges posed by snow, power outages, and snow-covered roads, including inner streets. The KCCI also called for a more robust winter management strategy, with improved response mechanisms and resources deployed at the earliest sign of snowfall.

“Such incidents damage Kashmir’s reputation as a premier tourist destination especially for winter tourism .It is worthwhile to mention that the government and stakeholders make huge efforts to promote tourism to Kashmir,” the KCCI noted.

The chamber urged the government to take immediate action to restore normal services, ensure swift deployment of personnel and snow-clearing machinery, and put in place a more comprehensive winter preparedness plan. It also called for a renewed focus on ensuring power restoration across the Valley, stressing that swift responses are crucial to managing the inevitable winter weather challenges.

“The snowfall is not a new thing to our winter, and therefore, the administration should keep its entire machinery and men at its command,” the body mentioned.