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The J&K administration has failed to resolve cement crisis that has hit Srinagar and other areas of the Valley, bringing to halt all developmental works while causing losses to the tune of Rs 30 crore to the cement plant owners.  

A reported tussle between two truckers’ unions in Khrew area—where most cement plant factories are located—has resulted in cement crisis in the summer capital, with the state administration doing little to address it.

The work at five cement factories in Khrew area is hampered despite the orders by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir that the truckers’ unions—Zaffron Truckers Union and Al Khuddam Truck/Tipper Union—should resume their work immediately. The unions are on strike for the past more than a month because of an internal rift over shares in the transportation of cement.

The strike has badly impacted the construction sector in Kashmir, with cement prices going up to Rs 425 per bag—the price that was Rs 350 per-bag a month before.  

Further, the strike has crippled the cement industry as outside companies are using it as an opportunity to pump in their supplies in the market, according to local cement dealers.

“This strike has caused estimated loss to around Rs 30 crore to cement factories including Jammu and Kashmir Cement Limited and has hit the supply of cement to various developmental projects in Srinagar,” said a representative of a cement factory.

He said the administration has “completely failed to even implement its directions as a result of which common people are suffering.” 

“It is unfortunate that a handful of persons have held hostage the entire cement industry, causing huge losses while the state is acting as a mute spectator,” he said.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, DrAsgharSamoon—after hearing the two parties—had on March 23 ordered the striking truckers to resume their service and ensure supply of cement to consumers.  

In his order, the Div Com had said: “. . . They (the two truckers’ unions) have created nuisance in the area...To maintain law and order in the area SP Awantipora shall take a written bond (Machlakanama) from both the parties to maintain peace.”

The Div Com had ordered that in case they breached the bond they shall be booked under law. “SP Awantipora is directed to deal with the matter strictly and depute sufficient police personal around the cement plants and in case any person(s) from Khrew, Bathan and Zaintrag area found taking law in their hands, they shall be booked under law. In the meantime, ARTO Pulwama is directed to process the cases for registration of the unions of both the parties after following procedural formalities and forward the cases to Transport Commissioner through RTO, Kashmir,” the order said.

“The District administration intervened to resolve the issue but the unions were unrelenting. Both the unions are adamant on their stand,” a senior official said. 

 “The conflict arose between the parties when people from Zaintrag, Bathan demanded that they be given separate share for transporting cement,” he said.  

SP, Awantipora, ShridharPatil told Greater Kashmir that they have given three-day ultimatum to the truckers. “We are hopeful that they would reach a consensus; if not, then strict action would be initiated.”

Source: Greater Kashmir