The Boiling Point in Kashmir’s Connectivity Crisis
By: Javid Amin | 15 September 2025
Kashmir’s lifeline highway, NH-44 (Srinagar-Jammu Highway), has once again collapsed under the weight of mismanagement, harsh weather, and delayed repairs, leaving the valley cut off from the rest of India. For decades, this road has been both a symbol of connectivity and a choke point of despair for residents, traders, and especially the valley’s ₹10,000 crore fruit industry.
This time, the crisis has provoked an angry response from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has issued perhaps his strongest demand yet: hand over control of NH-44 to the J&K administration.
Declaring “enough is enough,” Abdullah has also pressed the Government of India to ensure regular train services—not temporary or token measures—to prevent Kashmir’s economic backbone from collapsing further.
Omar Abdullah’s Sharp Rebuke to the Centre
Direct Call to Nitin Gadkari
In a forthright move, Omar Abdullah revealed he had spoken directly with Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, via X (formerly Twitter):
“Just spoke to Union Minister @MORTHIndia @nitin_gadkari Sb regarding the situation along NH-44 & the lack of connectivity with the rest of the country along this vital link.”
His statement carried both urgency and frustration—reflecting the mounting anger among fruit growers, traders, and the common public.
“Patience Has Worn Thin”
Abdullah pointed to the plight of apple growers who have watched their produce rot in stranded trucks, unable to reach markets in time:
“The patience of our fruit growers has worn thin & that is totally understandable.”
The remark highlights a growing sentiment across Kashmir: patience has run out, accountability is overdue.
The Horticulture Sector: Kashmir’s Economic Backbone at Risk
The ₹10,000 Crore Industry
Kashmir’s horticulture sector—primarily apple orchards—contributes nearly ₹10,000 crore annually to the local economy, supporting 3.5 million people directly or indirectly.
Every day of delay on NH-44 translates into crores in losses as perishable fruits fail to reach markets in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and other Indian cities.
Rotting Produce, Bleeding Economy
Reports from Doda, Ramban, and Qazigund show hundreds of trucks stuck in long queues. Fruit growers are left helpless, watching their year’s hard work destroyed. The unreliability of NH-44 has turned into a nightmare that repeats every harvest season.
Why NH-44 Matters: A Fragile Lifeline
The Srinagar-Jammu highway, stretching over 270 kilometers, is the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir with the rest of India. Yet, it is anything but “all-weather”:
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Frequent landslides and sinking stretches near Ramban.
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Ongoing construction delays by NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited).
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Poor planning that leaves no alternative bypass routes.
Despite repeated promises, NH-44 continues to collapse every year—leaving Kashmir cut off and its economy paralyzed.
The Demand for Control Transfer
State vs. Central Mismanagement
Abdullah’s demand to hand over NH-44 to the J&K administration reflects growing dissatisfaction with NHIDCL’s performance. According to him, local administration is better placed to manage day-to-day crises and mobilize quick responses than distant central agencies.
This is not the first time political leaders in J&K have made this demand—but Abdullah’s strong wording, “Enough is enough,” underscores a breaking point in political patience.
The Train Services Question: Token vs. Regular
The “Symbolic” Train Runs
In recent weeks, railway authorities have operated occasional train services between Banihal and Baramulla to ease movement. But Abdullah argues this is tokenism, not a solution.
Need for Regular, Reliable Services
For Kashmir’s economy, only consistent, daily train services can act as a backup when NH-44 fails. Without this, every disruption on the highway turns into an economic blockade.
Political Pressure Mounts: Sajad Lone Joins In
It is not just Omar Abdullah raising the alarm. Opposition leader Sajad Lone has accused the government of being a “mute spectator” while Kashmir’s fruit industry collapses.
This growing multi-party chorus of criticism signals that the highway crisis is no longer a seasonal inconvenience—it has become a political flashpoint with potential to fuel larger unrest.
The Road Ahead: What Next in the Next 24 Hours?
Omar Abdullah has hinted that the Union government has promised concrete steps within 24 hours. Until then, he has withheld further comment.
The big questions remain:
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Will NHIDCL present a time-bound repair plan?
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Will the Centre agree to expand railway services immediately?
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Or will Kashmir’s fruit industry continue to bleed unchecked?
Bottom-Line: A Test of Governance and Credibility
The NH-44 crisis is not just about a road—it is about trust, governance, and the daily survival of Kashmir’s economy. Omar Abdullah’s sharp intervention has turned the spotlight back on the Government of India’s accountability.
If the Centre fails to act decisively, the anger of growers, traders, and ordinary citizens may soon spill over into larger political consequences.
For now, all eyes are on whether Gadkari’s ministry delivers a real plan, not another promise, in the next 24 hours.
