"India and Pakistan should take immediate steps to link Kashmir with outside world through its traditional and natural routes that could provide economic relief to the people of Jammu and Kashmir," Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said at a Friday congregation in Jamia Masjid here.
He said it is a long standing demand of the leadership of both parts of divided Kashmir that the traditional natural routes be restored as part of confidence building measures while making a headway in the resolution of Kashmir issue.
Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only all-weather road linking the Valley with rest of the country, frequently gets closed due to snowfall which results in hardships to the people of the valley, he said.
"The reopening of the natural routes will provide an alternative and could serve as a lifeline for the people," he said.
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Expressing concern over the "callousness" of state government in view of the immense problems faced by the people due to heavy snowfall, Mirwaiz said the administration has failed on all levels and was showing no interest in providing succour to the people in these challenging times.
"In order to draw the attention of international bodies towards the resolution of Kashmir, Hurriyat will organise a seminar, 'Kashmir issue and UN insensitivity' on January 5 at amalgam headquarters Rajbagh," he added.