Shopian Traders Seek Mughal Road Upgrade, Business Revival in Meeting with CM Omar Abdullah

SRINAGAR: A high-level delegation from the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today, raising a series of concerns over Shopian district’s infrastructure, trade challenges, and lack of developmental focus.

The delegation, led by KTMF senior functionary Qazi Tauseef, included senior office-bearers of the Traders Federation Shopian.

During the meeting, the traders highlighted Shopian’s chronic connectivity issues, particularly the poor condition of the Mughal Road and internal link roads. They told the Chief Minister that the deteriorating road network frequently disrupts the transportation of goods and movement of people, hampering both commerce and tourism. They sought urgent repair, widening, and upgradation of the roads to facilitate smooth trade and improve access to markets.

The delegation also pressed for a comprehensive business revival plan to address the severe setbacks faced by traders in the wake of the pandemic and years of conflict-related disruptions. Frequent power outages that affect digital payments and logistics operations were flagged as another major hurdle to modern business practices.

Expressing disappointment over Shopian’s neglect in government schemes and developmental initiatives, the traders said that despite being one of Jammu and Kashmir’s agriculturally rich and commercially active districts, Shopian had been left out of key projects. They called for greater policy attention to ensure the district’s economic potential is realised.

In a gesture aimed at building confidence, the KTMF delegation formally invited Omar Abdullah to visit Shopian along with his cabinet colleagues to see the situation on the ground and interact directly with the business community. The Chief Minister accepted the invitation, assuring the traders that he would soon visit the district. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to equitable development and acknowledged the business community’s critical role in Jammu and Kashmir’s growth.

The meeting was part of a day of wide-ranging public interactions held by the Chief Minister at his Raabita office in Srinagar. Legislators from Gulmarg, Uri, Sopore, Beerwah, and Udhampur West apprised him of constituency-specific issues, while a delegation from the School of Architecture, Kashmir, raised the lack of job opportunities for architects and urged the government to integrate architectural expertise into urban planning.

Another deputation representing transporters and shopkeepers of the Old Batamaloo General Bus Stand sought revival of commercial activity and basic civic facilities in the area. Former minister and senior leader Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo also met the Chief Minister to discuss the developmental scenario in the Chenab Valley.

The Chief Minister assured all delegations that their concerns would be reviewed and addressed through the concerned departments.