Congress says J&K suffered ‘colossal damage’ due to floods, seeks comprehensive relief package
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Congress on Tuesday said the Union Territory has suffered “colossal damage” due to heavy rains and floods and urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to make the administration more proactive in handling the crisis.
JKPCC president Tariq Hameed Karra, expressing solidarity with the affected families, demanded a comprehensive rehabilitation and relocation package. He termed the government’s announced financial aid of ₹209 crore as “a joke” in comparison to the scale of losses.
“This is an extraordinary situation, and both the Centre and the UT government must respond with compassion. Farmers’ KCC loans should be waived, and they must be provided interest-free loans to rebuild their lives,” Karra told reporters.
The Congress leader, who represents the Central Shalteng constituency, criticised the administration for being sluggish. “Some departments have done commendable work, but senior bureaucrats prefer sitting in offices instead of reaching the ground. The chief minister must ensure the administration is proactive,” he said.
Karra announced that Congress has temporarily suspended its ‘Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq’ campaign, which presses for the restoration of statehood to J&K, in view of the flood crisis.
Highlighting the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway, Karra said fruit growers and transporters have suffered “humongous losses” as truckloads of fruit remain stranded. “The highway has failed to sustain even a spell of rains. I believe tunnelling is the only long-term solution,” he said, urging that Mughal Road be dedicated exclusively for transporting fruits and essential supplies.
He also alleged that frequent highway closures during fruit season raise doubts of deliberate disruption.
Karra pointed out that three revenue-generating sectors—tourism, mutton, and now horticulture—have been hit one after another. “I have not witnessed such colossal damage in my lifetime. The worst is yet to come,” he warned.
On CM Omar Abdullah’s remarks that highway maintenance should be handed over to the UT government if the Centre cannot manage it, Karra disagreed. “BRO is best suited for such roads. The state lacks the required infrastructure and expertise,” he said.
