Flights Grounded, Highways Blocked as Winter Preparedness Promises Crumble; Deputy CM Admits Failure, Warns Officials
SRINAGAR, JANUARY 27: A fresh spell of snowfall on Tuesday exposed the winter preparedness of the administration, plunging Kashmir into isolation and chaos, and leaving its “all-weather” connectivity claims in tatters.
The Srinagar airport was rendered non-operational for the second time this week, with authorities cancelling all flights of major carriers, including IndiGo and Air India. Hundreds of passengers were stranded as advisories mainly instructed them to contact their airlines.
On the ground, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), often termed an “all-weather” lifeline, was shut completely due to heavy snowfall near the Navyug Tunnel.
A senior traffic police official confirmed to The Web Story/The Varmul Post that all movement has been suspended indefinitely.
All other major arterial routes—the Mughal Road, SSG Road, and Sinthan Road—were also declared closed, severing the Valley from the outside world he added.
The crisis unfolded even as the administration, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, had asserted readiness for winter. Abdullah had earlier said the Valley was prepared for snowfall, stating that strong winds had caused damage, and that the administration was working to ease public suffering.
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhury issued a sharp, public rebuke to officials over their “lack of preparedness,” stating he would rely on public feedback over bureaucratic assurances.
“I had clearly instructed the Chief Engineer in a Secretariat meeting to prepare for snow. They made big promises that they were ready. But after a little snowfall, their condition is exposed. A cry for help has started from everywhere,” Choudhury stated.
The Deputy CM alleged officers were offering excuses and revealed a mandated control room had not been established. “I will not go away quietly from here. I am not among those who stay silent,” he warned.
He rejected a “helpless” attitude among departments, asserting, “The minister is not helpless, the government is not helpless. We are accountable,” and threatened strict action against failing officials.
This public outburst and the widespread paralysis follow heavy snowfall last Friday, which ended a prolonged dry spell.
The current crisis during the intense ‘Chillai Kalan’ period raises questions about the administration’s winter action plans and its ability to safeguard basic connectivity.
