Srinagar, March 19 (IANS) Indian Air Force planes will be flying essential supplies to the Kashmir Valley as the strategic Jammu-Srinagar Highway remained closed for the ninth day Monday.
"Air sorties are being carried out to bring in poultry products and vegetables to the Valley from winter capital Jammu," Basharat Ahmad Dhar, Kashmir divisional commissioner, told IANS here.
Authorities, meanwhile, are rebuilding the 50-metre road stretch at Panthal near Ramban in the Jammu region, which was washed away by landslides recently.
"We have blasted rocks at Panthal to check any further landslides in the area. Inclement weather has been obstructing our efforts to re-open the road for vehicular traffic," an engineer said here.
An acute shortage of mutton, milk, poultry and vegetables has hit the Valley ever since the highway blockade.
"Around 2,500 sheep were brought to the Valley Sunday by trans-shipment across the Panthal blockade. We are trying to bring in more supplies of mutton from outside to cater to the needs of consumers here," Dhar said.
Electricity supply in Srinagar, disrupted due to heavy snowfall last week, has been restored, said Khwaja Nisar Husain, a power official.
Though there was a shortage of food products like mutton, poultry, eggs and milk, authorities have been able to maintain steady supplies of petrol, kerosene, diesel and LPG cylinders.
Although the winter has been less harsh in Kashmir this season, the frequent blockade of the Jammu-Srinagar highway, the Valley's only supply line, has caused severe inconvenience to the people.
"It is high time the government seriously explores the possibility of an alternate road to the Valley," said Sheikh Jeelani, a civil engineer.
"The Moughal Road through Poonch, which had been an all weather road, is one such viable alternative," he pointed out.