39 Himachali Students Evacuated from Srinagar Amid Safety Concerns; Delays Reported Due to Highway Congestion.
Shimla:
In a proactive response to concerns over student safety, the Himachal Pradesh Government, under the directives of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has launched a coordinated evacuation effort to bring back students studying in Jammu and Kashmir. As part of this mission, a bus carrying 39 students from Himachal Pradesh departed from Srinagar towards Jammu at 11 AM today.
The transportation was arranged through the Jammu & Kashmir State Transport Department, marking the beginning of the government’s phased evacuation operation. Originally scheduled to reach Jammu by 5 PM, the bus faced significant delays due to heavy traffic congestion near Banihal on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Officials now expect the vehicle to reach Jammu later in the evening.
Dr. Nipun Jindal, Managing Director of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), confirmed the development, stating, “In line with the Chief Minister’s directions, our teams are in constant coordination with their counterparts in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. An HRTC bus has already reached Jammu and will transport the students to Jasur in Himachal’s Kangra district.”
However, due to the traffic-induced delay, the students will stay overnight in Jammu. The Himachal government has made accommodation arrangements to ensure their comfort and safety. “The Chief Minister has specifically directed that the entire return journey for the students be arranged free of cost,” Dr. Jindal added.
The students are now expected to resume their onward journey to Jasur tomorrow morning. From there, further transportation will be provided to ensure each student reaches their respective hometown safely.
This evacuation comes as part of a larger state-wide initiative to ensure the safety of Himachali citizens studying or working outside the state during turbulent periods.
