JAMMU: The Traders Federation Warehouse–Nehru Market, Jammu, has expressed deep concern over the ongoing traffic mismanagement that has paralyzed the supply chain and pushed the trading community into severe economic distress.
Addressing a press conference, Deepak Gupta, President of the Federation, said that for the last 15 days, trucks have been stranded along the route from Lakhanpur to Jammu, causing massive delays in the movement of essential goods.
“Trucks bound for Jammu are first stopped at Lakhanpur, then again at Raya Morh, and later at Bari Brahmana. As a result, what should take hours now takes four to six days. This mismanagement by the traffic department has disrupted essential supplies, including perishables like vegetables, dairy, poultry, and livestock,” Gupta said.
He questioned why trucks headed for Jammu were being held up, even as the Jammu–Srinagar Highway remained disrupted. Supplies to Udhampur, Rajouri–Poonch, Doda–Kishtwar, and Bhaderwah have also been badly hit.
Dual Crisis Worsening the Economy
Highlighting the broader economic impact, Gupta said Jammu’s business community has been reeling under a dual crisis:
- The tragic terror attack of April 22, 2025, and the subsequent war-like situation, which caused a drastic fall in tourist arrivals,
- A series of natural calamities including cloud bursts, flash floods, heavy rains, landslides, and bridge collapses, which devastated infrastructure, damaged the Mata Vaishno Devi track, and submerged vast areas along the Tawi river.
“Traders had hoped for gradual recovery, but traffic mismanagement has worsened everything. Businesses are bleeding, supplies are stranded, and consumers are suffering due to shortages,” Gupta added.
Appeals to Authorities
- Gupta urged the IGP Traffic to personally intervene to ensure the smooth movement of trucks from Lakhanpur to Jammu and onwards.
- He appealed to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, to waive toll tax from Lakhanpur to Srinagar until the highway is fully restored.
- On the power crisis, he slammed the Power Development Department, alleging that despite claims of repairing lines after the floods, electricity supply remains erratic even after 25 days, crippling businesses that rely on computers, e-way billing, and inverters.
Call for Revival Through Tourism
Emphasizing Jammu’s dependence on tourism, Gupta demanded special events during the upcoming Navratri festival to attract pilgrims and visitors.
- He urged the Tourism Department to organize religious programs at Bawe Mata Temple,
- Suggested that Jammu Smart City Limited hold special Aarti on the Tawi River during Navratri, similar to the daily Aarti during the Amarnath Yatra.
“Such efforts will not only revive religious tourism but also bring the business of Jammu back on track,” he said.
Federation Leadership Present
The press conference was attended by Sham Lal Gupta (Ex Sr. Vice President), Rajesh Bhagotra (President, Sugar Association), Dheeraj Mahajan (Sr. Vice President), Vishal Gupta (Vice President), Abhimanyu Gupta (General Secretary), Rahul Gupta (Secretary), and Nitish Gupta (Cashier of the Federation).
