SRINAGAR, April 22:
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, on Monday said that the region has sufficient fuel and essential supplies despite recent weather-related disruptions. He was speaking at a high-level meeting held to evaluate the availability of key commodities and review damage caused by adverse weather conditions.
Bidhuri informed that the current stock of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Kashmir is enough to meet local demand for the next 17 days. Similarly, around 10,000 kilolitres of petrol are available—sufficient for about 16 days—while the diesel reserves, totaling 12,500 kilolitres, are expected to last for more than 12 days.
Efforts are underway to fully restore the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which has been affected by flash floods in the Ramban area. “The restoration process is ongoing, and we anticipate complete clearance within four to five days,” Bidhuri stated. Meanwhile, one-way movement of light vehicles is being facilitated through the Mughal Road as an alternative route.
To prevent panic buying and hoarding, the Divisional Commissioner directed all Deputy Commissioners to intensify market inspections and take firm action against any instances of profiteering. Police authorities have also been asked to ensure proper crowd management at fuel stations to avoid disorder.
On the agricultural front, Bidhuri expressed concern over damage to apple orchards due to recent hailstorms and high winds. He instructed Deputy Commissioners to deploy field teams to assess the damage and submit detailed reports to the administration for timely response.
