Waris Fayaz
Srinagar, Sept 08 (KNO): Kashmir’s fruit economy has been brought to its knees with losses crossing Rs 200 crore as the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway remains shut, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded and perishable consignments rotting on the road.
The situation has forced Asia’s second-largest fruit mandi in Sopore to suspend operations for two days.
The Kashmir fruit growers and dealers association president, Fayaz Ahmad Malik, @ Kaka Ji, speaking to the news agency — Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that hundreds of fruit-laden trucks are stuck on the highway.
"We are already staring at losses worth over Rs 200 crore. If the highway doesn’t reopen, it may touch Rs 400 crore," he said. "We have decided to halt all trading activities on Tuesday and Wednesday to prevent further damage. We cannot afford more consignments to be wasted."
Malik said highly perishable produce, particularly Bagogosha pears and Gala apples, has suffered the worst damage. “We had already appealed to growers to stop harvesting and packing until the situation improves. Unfortunately, the stranded stock is deteriorating fast," he informed.
Growers across the valley are in despair. “It feels like 2022 all over again. We suffered huge losses then, and today we are staring at an even bigger disaster", Fayaz Ahmed, a grower from Sopore, said.
“What used to be sold at Rs 600 per box is now down to Rs 400", said Abdul Rashid, a grower from Rafiabad, adding that if authorities don’t intervene immediately, the industry will collapse.
Authorities, however, have allowed partial movement of vehicles through the Mughal Road. “Six-tyre trucks have been permitted to move, but we are demanding permission for 10-tyre vehicles as well. Only then can the stranded load be cleared", Mandi president said.
Traders and growers have jointly appealed to the government to treat fruit trucks as a priority for movement, warning that prolonged disruption will devastate the sector that sustains lakhs of families across the valley.
“Kashmir’s economy is horticulture-driven. If this highway remains shut, the backbone of our economy will break,” the growers said. (KNO)