Srinagar, Oct 04: While the month-long closure of the Srinagar–Jammu highway has ended, its ripple effects continue to disrupt daily life in the valley, particularly with the supply of essential commodities. Among these, the supply of LPG gas remains severely impacted, leaving households across Kashmir struggling to secure cylinders for daily use. The highway, the only all-weather road connecting the valley to the rest of the country, had been closed for over three weeks due to landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones caused by heavy rainfall earlier this year. This prolonged closure brought the movement of trucks and other vehicles to a halt, severely disrupting the supply of essentials, including LPG. Although the road is now open for one-way traffic, vehicle movement remains slow and irregular, delaying bulk deliveries and creating shortages across Kashmir. The shortage has left residents frustrated, with many facing long waits for their cylinders. Queues outside gas agencies have become a common sight, with several consumers reporting delays of weeks. “I’ve been waiting for my cylinder for more than two weeks now. Every time I go to the gas agency, they tell me it’s coming soon. How long are we supposed to wait?” said Fahad Wani, a resident of Batamaloo. “At our gas agency, people line up from early morning, but only a few manage to get cylinders. The rest have to return empty-handed. The shortage is creating unnecessary panic,” said Rehan Qadri from Hyderpora. Similar complaints have emerged from other parts of the valley. The crisis is particularly troubling as winter approaches. Typically, as the cold weather sets in, demand for LPG rises, with households relying on it not only for cooking but also for heating. “Normally, by now, we’d have extra cylinders stocked up for winter, but this year we’re struggling just to get the basics,” said Shabir Ahmad, a resident of Karan Nagar. Local dealers and distributors acknowledged the shortage, citing delays in bulk supply from manufacturers. “Due to the highway closure, we weren’t able to get our usual shipments, and now we’re just trying to catch up,” said Tufail Wani, an LPG distributor in Khanyar. “It’s hard to predict when the next delivery will come.” Asrar Malik, another dealer in Lal Chowk, added that bulk orders have been delayed by almost 12–20 days. “Even when shipments arrive, the quantities are far less than usual. This forces us to ration cylinders among customers, creating frustration on both sides,” he said. Interestingly, these complaints come as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted another spell of heavy rain and snow across Jammu and Kashmir until October 7. This is likely to affect surface traffic further, worsening the crisis. Despite these challenges, authorities maintain that the situation is under control and measures are being taken to stabilise supply. Director of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs (FCSCA) Kashmir, Dr Owais Ahmad, said, “While we acknowledge the supply delays, stock levels are sufficient to meet demand. We are closely monitoring supplies, prioritising deliveries, and working to ensure timely distribution. The situation is expected to improve soon.” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat to assess the preparedness of various departments in light of the IMD’s weather advisory. During the meeting, he reviewed the supply of essential goods, including LPG, and emphasised the need to minimise disruptions, particularly with winter approaching. Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Satish Sharma, also directed immediate measures to strengthen the distribution network. “We are aware of the difficulties consumers are facing due to delayed deliveries. The situation is being monitored closely, and we are working with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to ensure a steady supply of LPG to all parts of the valley,” Sharma said.