SRINAGAR: Scores of aspirants of postgraduate national eligibility cum entrance test (NEET-PG) from Kashmir division were stranded in Srinagar on Saturday, just a day ahead of their scheduled examination in Jammu.
The candidates were stranded in Srinagar after snowfall disrupted the air and surface connectivity to the valley.
NEET PG is scheduled to take place on Sunday, across India. Due to limited capacity in exam centers allocated to Kashmir, hundreds of aspirants have been allotted centers in Jammu and other cities.
However, for two consecutive days, Friday and Saturday, air and road transport has majorly taken a hit due to snowfall.
A delegation of aspirants said that their career was at stake as they were unable to reach Jammu and other exam centers outside Kashmir.
The candidates have appealed to the state government to extend help for saving their year. “We request the government to either change our exam centre to Srinagar or arrange a special flight for us to Jammu. We cannot afford to lose a year of our academics,” said an aspirant.
When contacted, Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo assured all possible assistance to the stranded students. “I will speak to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and see if there is a possibility of airlifting the aspirants,” he said, adding that his department will “get on the job immediately”. “We understand their (aspirants’) anguish,” he said.
The aspirants rued that for over two years, their appeals to increase the number and capacity of exam centers for Kashmir have “fallen on deaf ears”. “We live in a zone from where travelling is an issue due to road conditions and often hefty airfare. Plus, the weather is often unpredictable, especially at this time of the year,” said an aspirant.