Shortage of essential commodities has hit Ladakh region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir due to closure of Srinagar-Leh Highway, which reopened only couple of days ago.
According to a Kashmir Media Service report on Friday, Dr Ishey Namgyal, leader of Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) said due to closure of Srinagar-Leh road, there has been shortage of essential commodities including milk, vegetables, butter and some other items.
“Not only the local people but even the tourists, who had reached Leh, have been affected by shortage of commodities,” he said.
Pointing out that shortage of essential commodities is not just confined to Leh and Kargil districts, the LBA leader said Nubra, Changthang and other areas have also been affected.
Namgyal said that the authorities should declare the highway open only when it can sustain for summer and not just for 2-3 days only to be closed again. “When the highway is opened for 2-3 days, the tourists start coming but they suffer due to closure of road again,” he noted, adding this also sends wrong message to those planning to visit Ladakh.
A prominent hotelier said, “We are dependent on most of the essential commodities from Jammu, Srinagar and other parts of India. Authorities should ensure that Srinagar-Leh Highway, the lifeline of Ladakh, remains open for most of the period to ensure that there is no shortage of essential commodities”. A businessman too echoed the similar sentiments.