Srinagar, Sep 10 (KNO): The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the massive losses suffered by the horticulture sector due to frequent and prolonged closures of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The Union said the valley’s fruit industry has already incurred losses amounting to nearly Rs 700 crore this season.
Speaking to the news agency - Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Union president, Bashir Ahmad Basheer said the horticulture sector - the lifeline of Kashmir’s economy - is being pushed towards a crisis because of the elected government’s failure to ensure smooth transportation of perishable goods.
“Thousands of trucks carrying apples and other fresh fruits are left stranded on the highway for weeks together. The silence of the elected government is worrisome, as no serious steps are being taken for the proper restoration of traffic or to provide an alternative mechanism,” he said.
The more time the highway remains closed, the losses will go up with each passing hour, Basheer said, adding that the prolonged delay puts its impact on the quality and quantity of the fruit.
The Union leader further criticised the authorities for ignoring available alternatives. “Railway connectivity is there, but no arrangements have been made to transport fruit consignments via train. This apathy has put the livelihood of lakhs of families associated with horticulture at stake,” he said.
Growers said that truckloads of fresh fruit, including Gala apple varieties and different types of pears, have already been stranded on the highway. “The longer they remain stuck, the more they deteriorate. Even if they finally reach markets, they won’t fetch the desired prices,” said Mohammad Yousuf, a fruit grower from Sopore.
Farmers have urged authorities to immediately strengthen alternative options such as the Mughal Road. However, restrictions allowing only six-tyre vehicles have limited its effectiveness. “These vehicles hardly make it beyond Delhi. They don’t reach major markets like Bangalore, Kanpur, or Chennai, which are crucial for our trade,” explained Mohammad Ramzan, an orchardist from Pulwama.
Others called for looking beyond road transport. “If the government arranges goods trains, growers won’t face these repeated crises. This is the least they can do for the sector that is the backbone of our economy,” said Mohammad Amin from Shopian.
The Union warned that if the government continues to remain indifferent, the situation could lead to an unprecedented crisis in Kashmir’s horticulture sector, which contributes significantly to the region’s economy.
Fruit growers have appealed to the administration to immediately intervene, ensure hassle-free movement of fruit-laden trucks, and explore long-term alternatives such as dedicated freight corridors and rail cargo facilities.
“Apple is the backbone of Kashmir’s economy. If the government fails to safeguard it, the economic repercussions will be disastrous not only for growers but for the entire Valley,” Basheer added.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remains the only surface link between the Valley and the rest of the country, and its frequent closures due to landslides, shooting stones, and traffic mismanagement have time and again triggered major economic setbacks in Kashmir—(KNO)